Identification of a cell surface 105 kd protein (Aic-2 antigen) which binds interleukin-3

A mouse interleukin-3 (IL-3)-binding molecule that is an essential constituent of the mouse IL-3 receptor complex was identified as a cell surface protein of Mr 105 kd. A rat monoclonal antibody, anti-Aic-2 IgM, recognized and immunoprecipitated a cell surface 105 kd protein (Aic-2 antigen). The antigen (Aic-2) and IL-3 receptor were co-down-regulated upon incubation of IL-3-dependent mouse IC2 cells with either anti-Aic-2 IgM or IL-3 at 37 degrees C, whereas anti-Aic-2 did not inhibit the binding of IL-3 to IC2 cells at 15 degrees C. The Aic-2 antigen and IL-3 receptor were co-distributed on various cell lines and cell types. IL-3 was shown to bind specifically to the Aic-2 antigen (Mr 105 kd) in the immunoprecipitated complex with anti-Aic-2. Chemically cross-linking of IL-3 to surface molecules of IC2 cells produced three types of complexes with Mr 95, 140, and 200-340 kd in SDS-PAGE, and pre-incubation with anti-Aic-2 IgM at 37 degrees C reduced the intensity of the three bands to the same degree. Moreover, anti-Aic-2 immunoprecipitated these three IL-3-cross-linked complexes, whereas the same monoclonal antibody recognized a single 105 kd molecule. Anti-Aic-2 IgM enhanced IL-3-dependent growth of IC2 cells though it did not promote proliferation of IC2 cells.