Human IL12RB1 expression is allele-biased and produces a novel IL12 response regulator

Genes Immun. 2019 Mar;20(3):181-197. doi: 10.1038/s41435-018-0023-2. Epub 2018 Mar 30.

Abstract

Human IL12RB1 is an autosomal gene that is essential for mycobacterial disease resistance and T cell differentiation. Using primary human tissue and PBMCs, we demonstrate that lung and T cell IL12RB1 expression is allele-biased, and the extent to which cells express one IL12RB1 allele is unaffected by activation. Furthermore following its expression the IL12RB1 pre-mRNA is processed into either IL12RB1 Isoform 1 (IL12Rβ1, a positive regulator of IL12 responsiveness) or IL12RB1 Isoform 2 (a protein of heretofore unknown function). T cells choice to process pre-mRNA into Isoform 1 or Isoform 2 is controlled by intragenic competition of IL12RB1 exon 9-10 splicing with IL12RB1 exon 9b splicing, as well as an IL12RB1 exon 9b-associated polyadenylation site. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H (hnRNP H) binds near the regulated polyadenylation site, but is not required for exon 9b polyadenylation. Finally, microRNA-mediated knockdown experiments demonstrated that IL12RB1 Isoform 2 promotes T cell IL12 responses. Collectively, our data support a model wherein tissue expression of human IL12RB1 is allele-biased and produces an hnRNP H-bound pre-mRNA, the processing of which generates a novel IL12 response regulator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group F-H / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-12 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-12 / metabolism
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-12 / genetics*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-12 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group F-H
  • IL12RB1 protein, human
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Receptors, Interleukin-12
  • Interleukin-12