title: Generation of highly stable IL-18 based on a ligand-receptor complex structure.
abstract: Human interleukin-18 (hIL-18), initially cloned as an IFN-gamma-inducing factor, has a key role in many inflammatory diseases. We have previously developed a high production system for correctly folded active hIL-18 protein, leading to the revelation of the 3D-structure and the receptor binding mode. These findings can strongly indicate the experimental and medical applications of IL-18; however, the recombinant protein is prone to be inactivated forming multimers. Recently, therapeutic approaches using recombinant IL-18 have shown the effectiveness for treatment of cancer; indicating the necessity of a more stable protein for therapy with intertrial reliability. Here we have generated a highly stable hIL-18 with replacement of cysteine by serine based on the tertiary structure and the binding mechanism, retaining the biological activity. Similar rational designs can be applied to develop new therapeutic molecules of other cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Gifu University School of Medicine, Tsukasa 40, Gifu 500-8705, Japan.
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Zenichiro
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matsukuma
authors.forename: Ailian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Omoya
authors.forename: Kazuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kondo
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D003545:Cysteine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D019281:Dimerization; D004355:Drug Stability; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit; D008024:Ligands; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000737:chemistry*; D053724:Receptors, Interleukin-18; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D016415:Sequence Alignment
chemical_list: C508572:IL18R1 protein, human; D020382:Interleukin-18; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit; D008024:Ligands; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053724:Receptors, Interleukin-18; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D003545:Cysteine