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Nucleotide and predicted peptide sequence of feline interleukin-12 (IL-12)
1Dept. of Internal Veterinary Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland. danifehr@vetklinik.unizh.ch
Insights
Researchers cloned and sequenced feline Interleukin-12 (IL-12), a key cytokine for T-cell responses. They expressed the p40 protein and developed antibodies, advancing feline immunology research.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cytokine Research
Background:
- Feline Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a vital cytokine composed of p40 and p35 subunits.
- IL-12 plays a crucial role in mediating immune responses, particularly in activating T- and NK-cells.
- It is essential for inducing a Th1 immune response, critical for cell-mediated immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone and sequence the feline IL-12 gene.
- To express the p40 subunit of feline IL-12 in E. coli.
- To produce monoclonal antibodies against feline IL-12.
Main Methods:
- Gene cloning and sequencing of feline IL-12.
- Bacterial expression of the p40 protein in E. coli.
- Development and production of monoclonal antibodies.
Main Results:
- Successful cloning and sequencing of feline IL-12.
- Expression of the feline IL-12 p40 protein achieved in E. coli.
- Monoclonal antibodies against feline IL-12 were produced.
- Feline IL-12 exhibits high nucleotide (87-90%) and amino acid (82-87%) identity to bovine and human IL-12.
Conclusions:
- The characterization of feline IL-12 provides a foundation for further immunological studies in cats.
- The availability of feline IL-12 reagents facilitates research into feline immune responses.
- This work contributes to understanding the conservation of IL-12 across species.
Abstract:
Feline Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein consisting of two disulfide linked subunits of about 40 kD (p40) and 35 kD (p35). It is a pleiotropic cytokine mediating biological activities on T- and NK-cells. One important function is the induction of a Th1 immune response. Here we report the cloning and sequencing of feline IL-12, the expression of the p40-protein in E. coli and production of monoclonal antibodies. At the nucleotide level, feline IL-12 shows between 87-90%, on the amino acid level between 82-87% identity to the bovine and human IL-12, respectively.
