Interleukin 2 (IL2) is a secreted cytokine that is important for the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes. The receptor of this cytokine is a heterotrimeric protein complex whose gamma chain is also shared by interleukin 4 (IL4) and interleukin 7 (IL7). The expression of this gene in mature thymocytes is monoallelic, which represents an unusual regulatory mode for controlling the precise expression of a single gene. The targeted disruption of a similar gene in mice leads to ulcerative colitis like disease, which suggests an essential role of this gene in the immune response to antigenic stimuli. IL2 has been shown to have antitumor effects in some studies. This is probably mediated by cytotoxic effector cells.
Function:
Produced by T-cells in response to antigenic or mitogenic stimulation, this protein is required for T-cell proliferation and other activities crucial to regulation of the immune response. Can stimulate B-cells, monocytes, lymphokine-activated killer cells, natural killer cells, and glioma cells.
Subcellular Location:
Secreted.
DISEASE:
Note=A chromosomal aberration involving IL2 is found in a form of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Translocation t(4;16)(q26;p13) with involves TNFRSF17.
Similarity:
Belongs to the IL-2 family.
SWISS:
P04351
Gene ID:
16183
Database links:
Entrez Gene: 3558 Human
Entrez Gene: 16183 Mouse
Entrez Gene: 116562 Rat
Omim: 147136 Human
SwissProt: P60568 Human
SwissProt: P04351 Mouse
SwissProt: P17108 Rat
Unigene: 89679 Human
Unigene: 14190 Mouse
Unigene: 9871 Rat
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