MIC-1, a novel macrophage inhibitory cytokine, is a divergent member of the TGF-beta superfamily.

ABSTRACT: Macrophages play a key role in both normal and pathological processes involving immune and inflammatory responses, to a large extent through their capacity to secrete a wide range of biologically active molecules. To identify some of these as yet not characterized molecules, we have used a subtraction cloning approach designed to identify genes expressed in association with macrophage activation. One of these genes, designated macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1), encodes a protein that bears the structural characteristics of a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily cytokine. Although it belongs to this superfamily, it has no strong homology to existing families, indicating that it is a divergent member that may represent the first of a new family within this grouping.

SUBMITTER: Bootcov MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC23523 | biostudies-literature | 1997 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature