A novel, soluble homologue of the human IL-10 receptor with preferential expression in placenta.
The cytokine receptor family type 2 (CRF2) comprises receptors for important immunomediators like interferons and interleukin-10 (IL-10). We identified a novel member of this family which represents the first exclusively soluble receptor in this group and was therefore designated as CRF2-soluble 1 (CRF2-s1). The CRF2-s1 gene covers about 28 kb and is located on chromosome 6 in close proximity to the CRF2 members interferon (IFN)-gamma receptor 1 and IL-20 receptor 1. It comprises seven exons and generates two different mRNA splice variants, CRF2-s1-long and CRF2-s1-short. CRF2-s1-long and CRF2-s1-short encode proteins of 263 and 231 amino acids, respectively. A comparison of predicted protein structures led to the postulation that each receptor variants binds a different ligand. Quantitative analysis of human mRNA expression revealed a very restricted pattern for both splice forms. CRF2-s1 turned out to be the first member of this receptor family which was expressed neither in resting nor in stimulated leucocyte populations. CRF2-s1-long was only expressed in placenta, whereas CRF2-s1-short was additionally expressed in human mammary gland and, at a lower level, in skin, spleen, thymus and stomach. The preferential expression of CRF2-s1 in placenta suggests a role for this receptor in establishing and maintaining successful pregnancy.
Gruenberg
B H
BH
Department of Experimental Dermatology, Schering AG, D-13342 Berlin, Germany.
Schoenemeyer
A
A
Weiss
B
B
Toschi
L
L
Kunz
S
S
Wolk
K
K
Asadullah
K
K
Sabat
R
R
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002896:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 / Q000235:genetics; D019295:Computational Biology; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns / Q000235:genetics; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D020161:Physical Chromosome Mapping; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D053701:Receptors, Interleukin-10; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012995:Solubility
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053701:Receptors, Interleukin-10