Identification and cloning of a novel IL-15 binding protein that is structurally related to the alpha chain of the IL-2 receptor.
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a novel cytokine of the four-helix bundle family which shares many biological activities with IL-2, probably due to its interaction with the IL-2 receptor beta and gamma (IL-2R beta and gamma c) chains. We report here the characterization and molecular cloning of a distinct murine IL-15R alpha chain. IL-15R alpha alone displays an affinity of binding for IL-15 equivalent to that of the heterotrimeric IL-2R for IL-2. A biologically functional heteromeric IL-15 receptor complex capable of mediating IL-15 responses was generated through reconstruction experiments in a murine myeloid cell line. IL-15R alpha is structurally similar to IL-2R alpha; together they define a new cytokine receptor family. The distribution of IL-15 and IL-15R alpha mRNA suggests that IL-15 may have biological activities distinct from IL-2.
Giri
J G
JG
Immunex Research and Development Corporation, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.
Kumaki
S
S
Ahdieh
M
M
Friend
D J
DJ
Loomis
A
A
Shanebeck
K
K
DuBose
R
R
Cosman
D
D
Park
L S
LS
Anderson
D M
DM
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D019409:Interleukin-15; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D053647:Receptors, Interleukin-15; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012995:Solubility; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology
C508025:Il15ra protein, mouse; D019409:Interleukin-15; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007378:Interleukins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053647:Receptors, Interleukin-15; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2