Cutting edge: the common gamma-chain is an indispensable subunit of the IL-21 receptor complex.
The common gamma-chain (gamma(c)) is an indispensable subunit of the functional receptor complexes for IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 as well as IL-2. Here we show that the gamma(c) is also shared with the IL-21R complex. Although IL-21 binds to the IL-21R expressed on gamma(c)-deficient ED40515(-) cells, IL-21 is unable to transduce any intracytoplasmic signals. However, in EDgamma-16 cells, a gamma(c)-transfected ED40515(-) cell line, IL-21 binds to the IL-21R and can activate Janus kinase (JAK)1, JAK3, STAT1, and STAT3. The chemical cross-linking study reveals the direct binding of IL-21 to the gamma(c). These data clearly demonstrate that the gamma(c) is an indispensable subunit of the functional IL-21R complex.
Asao
H
H
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. asao-h@mail.cc.tohoku.ac.jp
Okuyama
C
C
Kumaki
S
S
Ishii
N
N
Tsuchiya
S
S
Foster
D
D
Sugamura
K
K
D002460:Cell Line; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D053631:Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit; D053738:Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D053613:Janus Kinase 1; D053616:Janus Kinase 3; D008894:Milk Proteins; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000502:physiology*; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21; D020395:Receptors, Interleukin-7 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D050799:STAT5 Transcription Factor; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D000098546:Interleukin-21
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C508117:IL21R protein, human; C507941:IL2RG protein, human; D053631:Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit; D053738:Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit; D007378:Interleukins; D008894:Milk Proteins; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21; D020395:Receptors, Interleukin-7; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor; C494079:STAT1 protein, human; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; D050799:STAT5 Transcription Factor; D015534:Trans-Activators; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C507904:JAK1 protein, human; C507933:JAK3 protein, human; D053613:Janus Kinase 1; D053616:Janus Kinase 3; D000098546:Interleukin-21