Description: IL28B (Gene map locus: 19q13.13) is a class II cytokine receptor ligand related to type I interferons.These ligands play a critical role in response to microbial challenge and activate the JAK/STAT signaling system (Sheppard et al., 2003).The deduced 200-amino acid IL28B protein is 96% identical to IL28A and 81% identical to IL29. IL28B has a conserved cysteine pattern and amphipathic profile similar to other helical cytokine family members.

The rs12980275 polymorphism is associated with null virological response (NVR) and sustained virologic response (SVR) in Janapese patients with hepatitis C virus infection treated with PEG-INF-alpha plus ribavirin (Tanaka et al. 2009).

The IL28B rs12980275 HRM kit represents an alternative PCR-based approach for the detection of the cited polymorphisms, suitable for a relatively inexpensive screening of several samples, reducing the turnaround time and the workload. Focused on the melting curve analysis obtained with a high resolution melt (HRM) system, it can be applied to the analysis and discrimination of more than one amplicon with the same reaction in the same run; it is today the most cost-efficient method for SNP identification. This kit provides genotype controls to compare results from unknown samples.