Alternative splicing of mRNA of mouse interleukin-4 and interleukin-6

Cytokine. 2004;28(4-5):190-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2004.08.009.

Abstract

Interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 are multifunctional regulatory proteins, which participate both in haemopoiesis and in immunopoiesis. The alternative splicing of these interleukins in humans is known to proceed in a tissue-specific manner. Additionally, changes in splicing can also be dependent on tissue pathology. In this work, we report on the presence of alternatively spliced mRNA (IL-4delta2mRNA), lacking exon 2, in mouse bone marrow and spleen cells. We find that in unstimulated cells IL-4mRNA levels strongly dominate over IL-4delta2mRNA levels. Both increase in response to stimulation, with the concentration of the alternative variant rising earlier and faster than that of the full-length variant. In all other tissues studied dominance of IL-4delta2mRNA over the full-length variant was not observed. In addition, we find expression of three forms of IL-6 mRNA: the full-length IL-6 mRNA, IL-6Delta3 mRNA, and IL-6Delta5 mRNA in the second and third trimester placenta tissue and in the spleen of mice immunized with a high dose of sheep erythrocytes. It is anticipated that translation of these mRNA variants can generate proteins capable of binding to some subunits of the IL-6 receptor, thus possessing effector function. Alternative splicing is discussed as a source of cytokines with new regulatory properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Concanavalin A / pharmacology
  • Exons / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-6 / chemistry
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Protein Isoforms / chemistry
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Concanavalin A
  • Interleukin-4