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Recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha: purification and biological characterization.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|April 1, 1986
Summary
Researchers identified a human Interleukin 1 alpha (IL 1 alpha) gene, distinct from IL 1 beta. Both IL 1 alpha and IL 1 beta genes produce proteins with similar biological activities, suggesting a family of IL 1 genes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Interleukin 1 (IL 1) is a key polypeptide hormone in immune and inflammatory responses.
- Previous work established murine IL 1 cDNA cloning and expression in E. coli.
- Activated macrophages produce IL 1, impacting various cell types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize the human homolog of murine IL 1.
- To investigate the existence of a human IL 1 gene family.
Main Methods:
- Used murine IL 1 cDNA as a probe to screen human leukocyte cDNA.
- Performed nucleotide sequence analysis of the isolated human IL 1 cDNA.
- Expressed and purified recombinant human IL 1 alpha in E. coli for functional assays.
Main Results:
- Isolated and sequenced human IL 1 alpha cDNA, predicting a 271 amino acid protein.
- Human IL 1 alpha shows 61% homology to murine IL 1 and 27% to human IL 1 beta.
- Recombinant IL 1 alpha stimulated T cell and fibroblast proliferation and induced collagenase and prostaglandin production.
Conclusions:
- Identified at least two human IL 1 genes (alpha and beta).
- Dissimilar protein products of IL 1 alpha and IL 1 beta genes exhibit similar biological activities.
- Recombinant IL 1 demonstrates multiple activities previously attributed to partially purified preparations.