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S Kumaki

Publications and source records attributed to S Kumaki.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Identification and cloning of a novel IL-15 binding protein that is structurally related to the alpha chain of the IL-2 receptor.

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a novel cytokine of the four-helix bundle family which shares many biological activities with IL-2, probably due to its interaction with the IL-2 receptor beta and gamma (IL-2R beta and gamma c) chains. We report here the characterization and molecular cloning of a distinct murine IL-15R alpha chain. IL-15R alpha alone displays an affinity of binding for IL-15 equivalent to that of the heterotrimeric IL-2R for IL-2. A biologically functional heteromeric IL-15 receptor complex capable of mediating IL-15 responses was generated through reconstruction experiments in a murine myeloid cell line. IL-15R alpha is structurally similar to IL-2R alpha; together they define a new cytokine receptor family. The distribution of IL-15 and IL-15R alpha mRNA suggests that IL-15 may have biological activities distinct from IL-2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Signal transduction by the receptors for thrombopoietin (c-mpL) and interleukin-3 in hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells.

Antisense oligonucleotide to the translation initiation sequence of human c-mpI reduced the proliferation of human CD34+ bone marrow cells in response to interleukin-3 (IL-3) alone or to the combination of IL-3 and thrombopoietin (TPO). To investigate the molecular basis for these cytokine interactions, we analyzed the relationship between the receptor subunits for IL-3 and TPO and determined whether both receptors activate identical signal transduction pathways. The function of the receptor subunits was characterized in transiently transfected hepatoma cells and fibroblasts by the activation of gene expression via specific regulatory elements and by the stimulation of DNA-binding activity of STAT proteins. Although c-mpl and IL-3 receptor (IL-3R) reconstituted a qualitatively comparable gene regulatory response, there was no detectable functional interaction between their respective receptor subunits. By comparing the receptor action in different cell lines, we observed that in human hepatoma cells the signaling of c-mpI was 100-fold less sensitive to TPO than in rat hepatoma cells. However, IL-3R signaling was comparable between the two cell types, suggesting that c-mpI and IL-3R do not use identical signal transducing mechanisms. The cytoplasmic domains necessary for c-mpI signaling were determined by testing deletion mutants. The membrane-proximal box 1 sequence motif was critical for gene regulation and for STAT protein activation that seemed to involve the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). Because IL-3R was less dependent on JAK2 than c-mpI, different levels of JAK2 expression may account, in part, for the quantitative difference in IL-3 and TPO response among various cell lines.

Animals↗

The action of interleukin-2 receptor subunits defines a new type of signaling mechanism for hematopoietin receptors in hepatic cells and fibroblasts.

The gene regulatory functions of the human IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) were reconstituted in transiently transfected hepatoma cells. The combination of IL-2R beta and -gamma mediated a strong stimulation via the cytokine response element of the alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene and the hematopoietin receptor response element, but none via the IL-6 response element or the sis-inducible element. IL-2R alpha enhanced 10-fold the sensitivity of the IL-2R beta.gamma complex to respond to IL-2 or IL-15, but did not modify the specificity or the magnitude of maximal gene regulation. A homodimerizing chimeric receptor G-CSFR-IL-2R beta could mimic the IL-2R action. The IL-2R-mediated gene regulation was similar to that seen with receptors for IL-4 and IL-7, but differed from that for IL-6 type cytokines, thrombopoietin, erythropoietin, and growth hormone. The activation of STAT proteins by the IL-2R was assessed in transfected L-cells and COS-1 cells. Although IL-2R subunits were highly expressed in these cells, no STAT protein activation was detectable. Transient overexpression of JAK3 was unable to change the signaling specificity of the hematopoietin receptors in rat hepatoma, L-, and COS cells, but established a prominent activation of the IL-6 response elements by the IL-2R and IL-4R in HepG2 cells. The data support the model that the IL-2R and related hematopoietin receptors produce at least two separate signals which control gene expression.

Animals↗

Interleukin 15 and its receptor.

Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a member of the four-helix bundle cytokine family that shares many in vitro biological activities with IL-2. Previous work demonstrated that IL-15 utilizes the beta and gamma chains of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), and that these are essential for IL-15-mediated signal transduction. However, several lines of evidence indicated the existence of an additional, IL-15-specific receptor component. An IL-15 binding chain was identified on a murine T cell clone, and direct expression cloning was used to isolate the corresponding cDNA. The predicted structure of this protein shows sequence similarity to the IL-2R alpha chain. Transfection of this cDNA into a murine, IL-3-dependent myeloid cell line, 32D-01, conferred IL-15 binding and, together with transfection of the IL-2R beta chain, rendered the cells responsive to IL-15 stimulation. This experiment confirmed that the IL-15 binding chain is part of the IL-15 receptor, and it is designated as the IL-15R alpha subunit. The expression pattern of the IL-15R alpha mRNA is distinct from that of IL-2R alpha mRNA. Recombinant expression of a soluble form of IL-15R alpha demonstrated that it is a potent inhibitor of IL-15 biological activity.

Animals↗

IL-15, a novel T cell growth factor that shares activities and receptor components with IL-2.

Interleukin 15 is a newly discovered cytokine that shares biological activities with IL-2 and, like IL-2, is a member of the four-helix bundle cytokine family. We have shown that IL-15 shares components of the receptor for IL-2: the alpha chain of the IL-2R is not required, but both the beta and gamma chains are needed for IL-15 mediated bioactivities. A defect in IL-15 signaling may therefore contribute to the phenotype of X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency in humans, resulting from mutations in the common gamma chain. Differential ability of cells to bind and respond to IL-2 and IL-15 suggested the existence of an additional IL-15 specific receptor component. We identified an IL-15 specific binding protein (IL-15R alpha) on a murine T cell and isolated the corresponding cDNA. The IL-15R alpha is not a member of the hematopoietin receptor superfamily, but is structurally related to the alpha chain of the IL-2R. Differences in the expression pattern of IL-15 and its receptor compared to the IL-2 system suggest unique in vivo roles for IL-15.

Animals↗

Utilization of the beta and gamma chains of the IL-2 receptor by the novel cytokine IL-15.

We have recently cloned a novel cytokine, IL-15, with shared bioactivities but no sequence homology with IL-2. We found high affinity IL-15 binding to many cell types, including cells of non-lymphoid origin. Analysis of IL-15 interaction with subunits of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) revealed that the alpha subunit was not involved in IL-15 binding. We demonstrated directly in cells transfected with IL-2R subunits that both the beta and gamma chains are required for IL-15 binding and signaling. Hence, IL-15, like IL-2, IL-4 and IL-7, utilizes the common IL-2R gamma subunit found to be defective in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency in humans. IL-15 is the only cytokine other than IL-2 that has also been shown to share the beta signaling subunit of IL-2R. The differential ability of some cells to bind and respond to IL-2 and IL-15 implies the existence of an additional IL-15-specific component.

Animals↗

Cloning of the mouse interleukin 2 receptor gamma chain: demonstration of functional differences between the mouse and human receptors.

We isolated a cDNA clone for the gamma chain of the mouse interleukin 2 receptor. Introduction of the mouse gamma chain cDNA clone into a mouse fibroblast cell line, L929, expressing the mouse alpha beta heterodimer IL-2 receptor converted pseudo-high affinity of the IL-2 receptor into functional high, resulting in internalization of IL-2 and induction of the c-myc, c-fos and c-jun genes. The mouse beta gamma heterodimer, however, failed to bind IL-2 unlike the human beta gamma heterodimer intermediate-affinity receptor. These results indicate that the mouse functional IL-2 receptor is a complex comprising three distinct subunits, alpha, beta and gamma chains, but the beta gamma heterodimer is not functional and different from the human heterodimer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reconstitution of functional interleukin 2 receptor complexes on fibroblastoid cells: involvement of the cytoplasmic domain of the gamma chain in two distinct signaling pathways.

We have previously shown that the interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor gamma chain is a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily and is indispensable for the formation of receptor complexes with high and intermediate affinities for IL-2. The present study demonstrates that the alpha beta gamma heterotrimer and beta gamma heterodimer complexes of IL-2 receptor reconstituted on murine fibroblast L929 cells can transduce IL-2-mediated signals for activation of tyrosine kinase and for induction of c-myc, c-fos, and c-jun expression. A mutant of the gamma chain lacking the C-terminal 68 amino acids in its cytoplasmic region showed a loss of such signal-transducing ability when incorporated into the IL-2 receptor complexes but brought no effect on IL-2 binding and IL-2 internalization. Another mutant, with a C-terminal deletion of 30 amino acids, retained the ability to activate a tyrosine kinase and to induce c-myc expression but lost the ability to induce c-fos and c-jun expression. These results suggest that at least two distinct signals, one for c-myc induction, which parallels tyrosine kinase activation, and the other for c-fos and c-jun induction, can be transduced from the IL-2 receptor complexes reconstituted on fibroblastoid cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cell type-specific tyrosine phosphorylation of IL-2 receptor beta chain in response to IL-2.

Functional activities of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) beta chain exogenously expressed on lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells were examined in terms of phosphorylation of IL-2R beta and cell growth. Lymphoid MOLT-4 and its transfectants expressing IL-2R beta either alone or with IL-2R alpha chain were found to be rapidly phosphorylated predominantly at tyrosine residues of IL-2R beta and to be affected in their growth in an IL-2-dependent manner. In contrast, IL-2 induced neither phosphorylation of IL-2R beta nor cell growth in non-lymphoid transfectants derived from COS7, HeLa and L929, even though they acquired the IL-2 binding ability when coexpressed as IL-2R beta and IL-2R alpha. These results suggest that IL-2 induces activation of a tyrosine kinase possibly associated with IL-2R beta in a cell type-specific manner.

Cell Division↗

Cloning of the gamma chain of the human IL-2 receptor.

A third subunit, the gamma chain, of the human interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) was identified, and a complementary DNA clone encoding this member of the cytokine receptor family was isolated. The gamma chain is necessary for the formation of the high- and intermediate-affinity receptors, which consists of alpha beta gamma heterotrimers and beta gamma heterodimers, respectively. The IL-2R on murine fibroblastoid cells can be internalized after binding IL-2 only if the gamma chain is present; alpha and beta are insufficient for internalization. Thus, the gamma chain is an indispensable component of the functional IL-2R.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

IL-2-dependent in vivo and in vitro tyrosine phosphorylation of IL-2 receptor gamma chain.

We previously reported a molecule, p64, which was tentatively named the gamma chain, coprecipitable with the beta chain of human interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R). The present study demonstrated that the gamma chain, as well as the beta chain expressed on IL-2-responsive cells, is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues in an IL-2-dependent manner in vivo and in vitro. The in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation of both chains was similarly induced within 1 min after IL-2 stimulation, and their in vitro tyrosine phosphorylation with the anti-IL-2R beta antibody-directed immunocomplex was also increased by treatment of cells with IL-2. These results suggest that a tyrosine kinase is associated with the beta gamma subunit complex, of which activation by IL-2 may result in transduction of intracellular signals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An associated molecule, p64, with IL-2 receptor beta chain. Its possible involvement in the formation of the functional intermediate-affinity IL-2 receptor complex.

We identified previously a membrane molecule, p64, which co-precipitates with the IL-2R beta-chain in human T cells. We have now investigated the biologic significance of p64 in the formation of the functional IL-2R complex with cell lines transfected with cDNA of IL-2R alpha- and/or beta-chains. Two functional parameters associated with IL-2R, IL-2 binding ability and association of p64 with the beta-chain, were examined. Two subclones, MOLT beta-11 and MOLT beta-12, of an IL-2R beta cDNA-transfected MOLT4 clone expressed similar numbers of IL-2R beta molecules on cell surfaces and bound to IL-2 with intermediate affinity. However, the numbers of IL-2 binding sites were significantly lower than those of IL-2R beta molecules and considerably different between the two subclones. The amount of p64 co-precipitated with IL-2R beta was proportional to numbers of the IL-2 binding sites in the two subclones. In addition, neither p64 co-precipitation nor IL-2 binding was detected in HeLa and COS7 cells transfected with IL-2R beta, and no p64 precipitation was seen even in those transfectants with both IL-2R alpha and beta cDNAs, which bind to IL-2 with high affinity but are not able to transduce intracellular signals. These results suggest the possibility that p64 associates with IL-2R beta and has an important role in formation of the functional IL-2R complex.

Binding Sites↗

The IL-2/IL-2 receptor system: involvement of a novel receptor subunit, gamma chain, in growth signal transduction.

We previously demonstrated the existence of a third component, p64, of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), tentatively named the gamma chain of IL-2R. Our recent studies provided evidence suggesting that the gamma chain endows the beta chain of IL-2R with IL-2 binding ability. The gamma chain was detected in lymphoid transfectants of IL-2R beta cDNA, which showed the intermediate-affinity IL-2R, but not in nonlymphoid transfectants of IL-2R beta cDNA, which showed no IL-2 binding activity. The comparative study between two subclones of lymphoid MOLT4 transfectant of IL-2R beta cDNA demonstrated that the amount of the gamma chain coprecipitated with IL-2R beta was proportional to numbers of the IL-2 binding sites. These results suggest the possibility that the gamma chain associates with IL-2R beta and has an important role in formation of the intermediate-affinity IL-2R complex. On the other hand, we have also demonstrated the association of IL-2R beta with a certain tyrosine kinase, of which activation by IL-2 could be indispensable process at the initial pathway of signal transduction.

Animals↗

IL-2-induced signal transduction: involvement of tyrosine kinase and IL-2 receptor gamma chain.

We previously established a monoclonal antibody, TU11 mAb, which is specific for human IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) beta chain (p75) and does not inhibit IL-2-binding to IL-2R beta. Using TU11 mAb, we first demonstrated the existence of a third component, p64, of IL-2R, tentatively named the gamma chain of IL-2R. TU11 mAb precipitated not only the beta chain but also the alpha and gamma chains in the lysates of cells bearing the high-affinity IL-2R in the presence of IL-2 without any chemical crosslinker. The gamma chain was also detected in lymphoid MOLT alpha beta and MOLT beta cells, which were stably transfected with both alpha and beta cDNA, and with beta cDNA alone, respectively, but not in fibroblastoid COS alpha beta and COS beta cells, which were stably transfected with both alpha and beta cDNA, and with beta cDNA alone, respectively. Furthermore, IL-2-mediated growth signals were transduced in the lymphoid transfectant cells but not in the fibroblastoid transfectant cells, suggesting the possibility that the gamma chain along with the beta chain has an essential role in the transduction of IL-2-mediated growth signals. Using TU11 mAb, we secondly demonstrated that IL-2 rapidly induces tyrosine phosphorylation of both the beta and gamma chains in an IL-2-dose-dependent manner. The tyrosine phosphorylation of beta and gamma chains were also detected in the lymphoid transfectant cells but not in the fibroblastoid transfectant cells, indicating the correlation between tyrosine kinase activation and IL-2-mediated growth signaling. The beta chain was phosphorylated in in vitro on serine, threonine and tyrosine residues, but the gamma chain was phosphorylated in in vitro predominantly on tyrosine residues, suggesting the possibility that the gamma chain itself is a tyrosine kinase molecule.

Enzyme Activation↗

Neurofibromatosis with spinal paralysis due to arteriovenous fistula.

A case of neurofibromatosis with spinal paralysis due to arteriovenous fistula is reported. Preoperatively, the appropriate diagnosis was missed because angiography had not been performed. Postoperative angiography disclosed that an arteriovenous fistula formed a tumor-like mass, and that a part of the mass had invaded the spinal canal, compressing the spinal cord. It is concluded that the possibility of an arteriovenous fistula should be kept in mind in neurofibromatosis patients with spinal cord symptoms.

Adult↗