Interleukin-6 receptor

Function

Interleukin 6 (IL6) is a potent pleiotropic cytokine that regulates cell growth and differentiation and plays an important role in immune response. Dysregulated production of IL6 and this receptor are implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, such as multiple myeloma, autoimmune diseases and prostate cancer.

In melanocytes IL6R gene expression may be regulated by MITF.

Structure

The IL6 receptor is a protein complex consisting of an IL-6 receptor subunit (IL6R) and interleukin 6 signal transducer Glycoprotein 130. IL6R also denotes the human gene encoding this subunit. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported. IL6R subunit is also shared by many other cytokines.

Interactions

Interleukin-6 receptor has been shown to interact with Interleukin 6 and ciliary neurotrophic factor.

References

References

1. (2008). "Novel MITF targets identified using a two-step DNA microarray strategy". Pigment Cell Melanoma Res.
2. "Entrez Gene: IL6R interleukin 6 receptor".
3. (Jan 2004). "Direct determination of the interleukin-6 binding epitope of the interleukin-6 receptor by NMR spectroscopy". J. Biol. Chem..
4. (Mar 2003). "Signaling of human ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) revisited. The interleukin-6 receptor can serve as an alpha-receptor for CTNF". J. Biol. Chem..
5. (Aug 1989). "Interleukin-6 triggers the association of its receptor with a possible signal transducer, gp130". Cell.
6. (Dec 1992). "Ciliary neurotrophic factor induces acute-phase protein expression in hepatocytes". FEBS Lett..