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The interleukin-2 receptor complex and signal transduction: role of the beta-chain

T Kono1, Y Minami, T Taniguchi

  • 1Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Osaka University, Japan.

Seminars in Immunology
|October 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling in lymphocytes relies on the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) beta chain, which activates protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) like p56lck. This pathway is crucial for cell growth and protooncogene induction.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Signaling
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Lymphocyte proliferation is regulated by cytokines, notably interleukin-2 (IL-2).
  • The IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) complex, comprising alpha, beta, and gamma chains, mediates IL-2 signaling.
  • Neither IL-2R subunit possesses intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the intracellular signaling mechanisms of IL-2R.
  • To identify the role of IL-2R beta chain and associated PTKs in IL-2-mediated lymphocyte proliferation.
  • To elucidate the specific regions of IL-2R beta involved in signal transduction.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized cDNA expression studies with mutant IL-2R beta chains.
  • Investigated the interaction between IL-2R beta and src-family PTKs, specifically p56lck.
  • Analyzed the functional consequences of mutations in IL-2R beta cytoplasmic regions on signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • The IL-2R beta chain is critical for IL-2R-mediated intracellular signaling.
  • Specific cytoplasmic regions of IL-2R beta, the 'serine-rich' and 'acidic' regions, are essential for IL-2-induced cell growth and p56lck activation.
  • IL-2 stimulation enhances p56lck PTK activity, which is linked to p21ras activation and c-fos/c-jun protooncogene induction.

Conclusions:

  • IL-2 signaling bifurcates, involving PTK activation via IL-2R beta.
  • The interaction of p56lck with IL-2R beta's 'acidic' region and the 'serine-rich' region's role in growth are key findings.
  • This pathway is vital for lymphocyte proliferation and gene regulation.

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