Cutting edge: the common gamma-chain is an indispensable subunit of the IL-21 receptor complex

J Immunol. 2001 Jul 1;167(1):1-5. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.167.1.1.

Abstract

The common gamma-chain (gamma(c)) is an indispensable subunit of the functional receptor complexes for IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 as well as IL-2. Here we show that the gamma(c) is also shared with the IL-21R complex. Although IL-21 binds to the IL-21R expressed on gamma(c)-deficient ED40515(-) cells, IL-21 is unable to transduce any intracytoplasmic signals. However, in EDgamma-16 cells, a gamma(c)-transfected ED40515(-) cell line, IL-21 binds to the IL-21R and can activate Janus kinase (JAK)1, JAK3, STAT1, and STAT3. The chemical cross-linking study reveals the direct binding of IL-21 to the gamma(c). These data clearly demonstrate that the gamma(c) is an indispensable subunit of the functional IL-21R complex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Enzyme Activation / genetics
  • Enzyme Activation / immunology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit
  • Interleukin-21
  • Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Interleukins / metabolism
  • Interleukins / physiology
  • Janus Kinase 1
  • Janus Kinase 3
  • Milk Proteins*
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Receptors, Interleukin / physiology*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-21
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7 / deficiency
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7 / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7 / physiology*
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • IL21R protein, human
  • IL2RG protein, human
  • Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit
  • Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Interleukins
  • Milk Proteins
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • Receptors, Interleukin-21
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • STAT1 protein, human
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor
  • Trans-Activators
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • JAK1 protein, human
  • JAK3 protein, human
  • Janus Kinase 1
  • Janus Kinase 3
  • Interleukin-21