Cloning, sequence and expression of human interleukin-2 receptor

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• T lymphocytes are vital for immune responses and require interleukin-2 (IL-2) for proliferation.
• IL-2 responsiveness is mediated by a specific surface receptor glycoprotein.
• Previous work purified and characterized the IL-2 receptor from human T cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify cDNA clones encoding the IL-2 receptor using synthetic oligonucleotides.
• To investigate the structural basis of IL-2 receptor activity.

Main Methods:

• Probing a human T-cell lymphoma (HUT-102) cDNA library with synthetic oligonucleotides based on the IL-2 receptor's N-terminal sequence.
• Isolation and sequencing of cDNA clones.
• Transfection of cDNA clones into COS-7 cells to assess receptor activity.

Main Results:

• Two closely related cDNA clones were isolated.
• Only one clone, containing a 216-base pair insert, encoded a functional IL-2 receptor.
• The insert featured an 8-base pair direct repeat and showed homology to the receptor's N-terminal region.

Conclusions:

• A specific 216-bp DNA insert is essential for encoding a functional IL-2 receptor.
• This insert may originate from a transposable element and contributes to the N-terminal structure of the IL-2 receptor.