title: Structure and function of the human interleukin 2 receptor gene.
abstract: The gene encoding the human Interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor consists of 8 exons spanning more than 25 kilobases on chromosome 10. Exons 2 and 4 were derived from a gene duplication event and unexpectedly also are homologous to the recognition domain of human complement factor B. Receptor gene transcription is initiated at two principal sites in normal activated T cells. Adult T cell leukemia cells infected with HTLV-I show activity at both of these sites, but also at a third transcription initiation site. Resting T cells do not contain detectable IL-2 receptor mRNA. Within 1 hour after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a large, presumably nuclear precursor RNA species is seen, which then gradually disappears. Mature IL-2 receptor mRNA forms appear within 8 hours after stimulation, reach peak levels between 8 and 24 hours, and then decline. Thus in PHA-activated lymphocytes the rise and fall in IL-2 receptor mRNA levels precede by more than 24 hours the peak and decline of IL-2 receptor protein expression occurring at the cell surface. Nuclease S1-protection assays indicate that IL-2 receptor mRNAs may differ in length due to the use of three different polyadenylylation signals. Further, these assays demonstrate the presence of transcripts that lack a 216-base segment within the protein-coding region and thus do not encode a functional IL-2 receptor. Nuclear transcription assays indicate that the increase in IL-2 receptor mRNA is reflected at the level of transcription. Thus, IL-2 receptor gene regulation controls IL-2 receptor expression at the cell surface and is intimately linked to the control of T-cell proliferation.
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D006800:Deltaretrovirus Infections / Q000503:physiopathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005796:Genes; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D004247:DNA; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate