Identification of IL-18RAP mRNA truncated splice variants in human testis and the other human tissues

Cytokine. 2007 Sep;39(3):178-83. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2007.07.186. Epub 2007 Sep 25.

Abstract

IL-18 is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immunity. It plays a key role in the autoimmune, inflammatory and infectious diseases. IL-18 acts via a receptor complex that closely resembles that of IL-1, consisting of a ligand binding protein, IL-18Ralpha, and an accessory protein, IL-18RAP (IL-18Rbeta). IL-18RAP is essential for IL-18 signal transduction and ligand binding affinity to IL-18Ralpha receptor chain. mRNA of gene coding for IL-18RAP in human testicular tissue and the nucleotide sequence of splice variants was carefully examined. We have found for the first time ever, IL-18RAP mRNA in studied tissue samples of physiological testis. Using the RT-PCR technique, the whole coding sequence of this gene was amplified. An alternative splicing of mRNA for IL-18RAP was then discovered and subsequently confirmed by cDNA sequencing. The putative amino acid content was predicted and a computer modeling was performed. It might be hypothesized that the truncated forms of IL-18RAP can be involved in the complex mechanism of IL-18 activity regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics*
  • Alternative Splicing / immunology
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-18 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-18 Receptor beta Subunit / genetics*
  • Interleukin-18 Receptor beta Subunit / isolation & purification
  • Interleukin-18 Receptor beta Subunit / physiology
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Organ Specificity / genetics
  • Organ Specificity / immunology
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / isolation & purification
  • Protein Isoforms / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / isolation & purification
  • RNA, Messenger / physiology
  • Sequence Deletion*
  • Testis / cytology
  • Testis / immunology
  • Testis / metabolism*

Substances

  • Interleukin-18
  • Interleukin-18 Receptor beta Subunit
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Messenger

Associated data

  • GENBANK/NM003853