Emerging picture of the receptor with high affinity for IgE

The cDNAs for two of the subunits of the receptor with high affinity for IgE have been isolated and sequenced. That for the IgE-binding alpha subunit predicts a polypeptide with a single transmembrane segment. The predicted extracellular amino terminal portion, comprised of 180 residues, is homologous to the corresponding region of Fc gamma receptors and contains two truncated immunoglobulin-like domains. The cDNA for beta predicts a peptide with four transmembrane segments, but its sequence is unrelated to known proteins. Experiments to isolate the cDNA for the gamma subunit have begun; when completed, cotransfection of the three genes will be attempted to get expression, a process that has not so far been successful for the individual subunits. Such expression will permit further analysis of the receptor's function and ultimately may provide information on how best to intervene clinically in the activation of mast cells and basophils.