Alternate signalling pathways from the interleukin-2 receptor. |
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Authors: | Jonathan M Ellery Peter J Nicholls |
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Affiliation: | Department of Biosciences, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK. jonathan.ellery@cenes.co.uk |
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Abstract: | Interleukin-2 (IL-2) plays a major role in the proliferation of cell populations during an immune reaction. The beta(c) and gamma(c) subunits of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) are sufficient and necessary for signal transduction. Despite lacking known catalytic domains, receptor engagement leads to the activation of a diverse array protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs). In resting or anergised T cells, Jak3 is not activated. Signals arising from the PROX domain of the gamma(c) subunit activate p56(lck) (lck) leading to the induction of anti-apoptotic mechanisms. When Jak3 is activated, in primed T cells, other PTKs predominantly mediate the induction of anti-apoptotic mechanisms and drive cellular proliferation. This review intends to suggest a role for these differences within the context of the immune system. |
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