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IL20 interleukin 20 [ Homo sapiens (human) ]

Gene ID: 50604, updated on 5-Aug-2026
Official Symbol
IL20provided by HGNC
Official Full Name
interleukin 20provided by HGNC
Primary source
HGNC:HGNC:6002
See related
Ensembl:ENSG00000162891 MIM:605619; AllianceGenome:HGNC:6002
Gene type
protein coding
RefSeq status
REVIEWED
Organism
Homo sapiens
Lineage
Eukaryota; Metazoa; Chordata; Craniata; Vertebrata; Euteleostomi; Mammalia; Eutheria; Euarchontoglires; Primates; Haplorrhini; Catarrhini; Hominidae; Homo
Also known as
IL-20; IL10D; ZCYTO10
Summary
The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine structurally related to interleukin 10 (IL10). This cytokine has been shown to transduce its signal through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in keratinocytes. A specific receptor for this cytokine is found to be expressed in skin and upregulated dramatically in psoriatic skin, suggesting a role for this protein in epidermal function and psoriasis. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Expression
Low expression observed in reference dataset See more
Orthologs
all
Try the new Gene page
Try the new Transcripts and proteins table
See IL20 in Genome Data Viewer
Location:
1q32.1
Exon count:
8
Annotation release Status Assembly Chr Location
RS_2025_08 current GRCh38.p14 (GCF_000001405.40) 1 NC_000001.11 (206863565..206869223)
RS_2025_08 current T2T-CHM13v2.0 (GCF_009914755.1) 1 NC_060925.1 (206127873..206133530)
RS_2024_09 previous assembly GRCh37.p13 (GCF_000001405.25) 1 NC_000001.10 (207036910..207042568)

Chromosome 1 - NC_000001.11Genomic Context describing neighboring genes Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 2418 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 2419 Neighboring gene CRISPRi-FlowFISH-validated IL10 regulatory element GRCh37_chr1:206945468-206946089 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 2420 Neighboring gene interleukin 10 Neighboring gene interleukin 19 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 2421 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 2422 Neighboring gene CRISPRi-FlowFISH-validated IL10 regulatory elements GRCh37_chr1:206966528-206967028 and GRCh37_chr1:206966531-206967031 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 2424 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 2423 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 2425 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 1767 Neighboring gene uncharacterized LOC105372878 Neighboring gene uncharacterized LOC105372879 Neighboring gene BRD4-independent group 4 enhancer GRCh37_chr1:207063449-207064648 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 2426 Neighboring gene interleukin 24 Neighboring gene Fc mu receptor

Go to nucleotide: Graphics FASTA GenBank

Related articles in PubMed

  1. A single-center observational study on the expression of circulating interleukin-20 levels and predicting outcomes in human chronic heart failure: A 2-year follow-up cohort study: Higher IL-20 levels suggest poorer outcomes in CHF patients. Zhao Y, et al. Clin Chim Acta, 2020 Nov. PMID 32622964
  2. Type 2 diabetes - Tuberculosis co-morbidity is associated with diminished circulating levels of IL-20 subfamily of cytokines. Kumar NP, et al. Tuberculosis (Edinb), 2015 Dec. PMID 26354610, Free PMC Article
  3. Ultraviolet B light stimulates interleukin-20 expression by human epithelial keratinocytes. Hunt DW, et al. Photochem Photobiol, 2006 Sep-Oct. PMID 16709143
  4. IL-20 in rheumatoid arthritis. Hsu YH, et al. Drug Discov Today, 2017 Jun. PMID 26297177
  5. The correlation between IL-20 and the Th2 immune response in human asthma. Wu J, et al. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2014 Dec. PMID 25543042

See all (93) citations in PubMed

GeneRIFs: Gene References Into Functions

What's a GeneRIF?
  1. The effect of interleukin-20 on periodontal tissue destruction in individuals with periodontitis.
    Title: The effect of interleukin-20 on periodontal tissue destruction in individuals with periodontitis.
  2. IL-20 controls resolution of experimental colitis by regulating epithelial IFN/STAT2 signalling.
    Title: IL-20 controls resolution of experimental colitis by regulating epithelial IFN/STAT2 signalling.
  3. IL-20 subfamily cytokines impair the oesophageal epithelial barrier by diminishing filaggrin in eosinophilic oesophagitis.
    Title: IL-20 subfamily cytokines impair the oesophageal epithelial barrier by diminishing filaggrin in eosinophilic oesophagitis.
  4. Overexpression of interleukin-20 correlates with favourable prognosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
    Title: Overexpression of interleukin-20 correlates with favourable prognosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
  5. gamma-Secretase inhibitors suppress IL-20-mediated osteoclastogenesis via Notch signalling and are affected by Notch2 in vitro.
    Title: γ-Secretase inhibitors suppress IL-20-mediated osteoclastogenesis via Notch signalling and are affected by Notch2 in vitro.
  6. Interleukin-20 is involved in dry eye disease and is a potential therapeutic target.
    Title: Interleukin-20 is involved in dry eye disease and is a potential therapeutic target.
  7. IL-20 promotes cutaneous inflammation and peripheral itch sensation in atopic dermatitis.
    Title: IL-20 promotes cutaneous inflammation and peripheral itch sensation in atopic dermatitis.
  8. Increased expression of IL-20 is associated with ischemic cardiomyopathy and acute myocardial infarction.
    Title: Increased expression of IL-20 is associated with ischemic cardiomyopathy and acute myocardial infarction.
  9. IL-20 is involved in obesity by modulation of adipogenesis and macrophage dysregulation.
    Title: IL-20 is involved in obesity by modulation of adipogenesis and macrophage dysregulation.
  10. The expression of interleukin 20 increases in plasma and aortic tissues from patients with acute aortic dissection.
    Title: The expression of interleukin 20 increases in plasma and aortic tissues from patients with acute aortic dissection.
Submit: New GeneRIF Correction See all GeneRIFs (70)

Find tests for this gene in the NIH Genetic Testing Registry (GTR)

Review eQTL and phenotype association data in this region using PheGenI

EBI GWAS Catalog

Description
Host-microbe interactions have shaped the genetic architecture of inflammatory bowel disease.
EBI GWAS Catalog

See variants in ClinVar

See studies and variants in dbVar

See Variation Viewer (GRCh37.p13)

Protein interactions

Protein Gene Interaction Pubs
Tat tat IL-20 is upregulated by HIV-1 Tat treatment in human epithelial cells PubMed

Go to the HIV-1, Human Interaction Database

Products Interactant Other Gene Complex Source Pubs Description

Markers

Homology

Clone Names

  • MGC96907

Gene Ontology Provided by GOA

Function Evidence Code Pubs
enables cytokine activity IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
enables cytokine activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
enables interleukin-20 receptor binding IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
enables interleukin-20 receptor binding TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
enables interleukin-22 receptor binding IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
enables protein binding IPI
Inferred from Physical Interaction
more info
 PubMed 
enables signaling receptor binding IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
Process Evidence Code Pubs
involved_in cytokine-mediated signaling pathway NAS
Non-traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in dendritic cell differentiation NAS
Non-traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in immune response IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in osteoclast differentiation NAS
Non-traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in positive regulation of epidermal cell differentiation TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in positive regulation of keratinocyte differentiation TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in positive regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT protein TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in regulation of inflammatory response TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
Component Evidence Code Pubs
located_in extracellular region EXP
Inferred from Experiment
more info
 PubMed 
is_active_in extracellular region IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
located_in extracellular region IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
located_in extracellular region TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
part_of interleukin-20 receptor complex IPI
Inferred from Physical Interaction
more info
 PubMed 
Preferred Names
interleukin-20
Names
cytokine Zcyto10
four alpha helix cytokine

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RefSeqs maintained independently of Annotated Genomes

These reference sequences exist independently of genome builds. Explain

These reference sequences are curated independently of the genome annotation cycle, so their versions may not match the RefSeq versions in the current genome build. Identify version mismatches by comparing the version of the RefSeq in this section to the one reported in Genomic regions, transcripts, and products above.

mRNA and Protein(s)

  1. NM_001385165.1 → NP_001372094.1  interleukin-20 isoform 2 precursor

    Status: REVIEWED

    Source sequence(s)
    AC098935
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS91155.1
    Related
    ENSP00000375796.2, ENST00000391930.4

  2. NM_001385166.1 → NP_001372095.1  interleukin-20 isoform 1 precursor

    Status: REVIEWED

    Source sequence(s)
    AC098935
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS1470.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    Q17RB3, Q2THG6, Q96QZ6, Q9NYY1
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    cl02501
    Location:39 → 173
    IL10; Interleukin 10

  3. NM_001385167.1 → NP_001372096.1  interleukin-20 isoform 1 precursor

    Status: REVIEWED

    Source sequence(s)
    AC098935
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS1470.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    Q17RB3, Q2THG6, Q96QZ6, Q9NYY1
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    cl02501
    Location:39 → 173
    IL10; Interleukin 10

  4. NM_018724.4 → NP_061194.2  interleukin-20 isoform 1 precursor

    See identical proteins and their annotated locations for NP_061194.2

    Status: REVIEWED

    Source sequence(s)
    AC098935
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS1470.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    Q17RB3, Q2THG6, Q96QZ6, Q9NYY1
    Related
    ENSP00000356065.1, ENST00000367098.6
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    cl02501
    Location:39 → 173
    IL10; Interleukin 10

RefSeqs of Annotated Genomes: GCF_000001405.40-RS_2025_08

The following sections contain reference sequences that belong to a specific genome build. Explain

Reference GRCh38.p14 Primary Assembly

Genomic

  1. NC_000001.11 Reference GRCh38.p14 Primary Assembly

    Range
    206863565..206869223
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics)

Alternate T2T-CHM13v2.0

Genomic

  1. NC_060925.1 Alternate T2T-CHM13v2.0

    Range
    206127873..206133530
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics)
Nucleotide Protein
Heading Accession and Version
Protein Accession Links
GenPept Link UniProtKB Link
Q9NYY1.2 GenPept UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot:Q9NYY1

Gene LinkOut

The following LinkOut resources are supplied by external providers. These providers are responsible for maintaining the links.

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