title: Regulation of human interleukin-2 gene: functional DNA sequences in the 5' flanking region for the gene expression in activated T lymphocytes.
abstract: Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a lymphokine that plays a crucial role in the immune system, especially in the growth control of T lymphocytes. Expression of this lymphokine is restricted to activated T lymphocytes. Here we demonstrate the presence of unique DNA sequences in the 5' flanking region of the human IL-2 gene that control induced T-cell-specific gene expression. We also show that the DNA sequences function in an orientation-independent manner and activate a heterologous promoter which is otherwise inert in induced T cells. The DNA, which spans about 200 bp, contains regions with sequence homology to LTR sequences of HTLV-III (or LAV) and the 5' upstream region of the IL-2 receptor and interferon-gamma genes.
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000235:genetics; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005813:Genes, Synthetic; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D004247:DNA