A folding switch regulates interleukin 27 biogenesis and secretion of its α-subunit as a cytokine.

ABSTRACT: A common design principle of heteromeric signaling proteins is the use of shared subunits. This allows encoding of complex messages while maintaining evolutionary flexibility. How cells regulate and control assembly of such composite signaling proteins remains an important open question. An example of particular complexity and biological relevance is the interleukin 12 (IL-12) family. Four functionally distinct αβ heterodimers are assembled from only five subunits to regulate immune cell function and development. In addition, some subunits act as independent signaling molecules. Here we unveil key molecular mechanisms governing IL-27 biogenesis, an IL-12 family member that limits infections and autoimmunity. In mice, the IL-27α subunit is secreted as a cytokine, whereas in humans only hete

SUBMITTER: Muller SI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6358668 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature