Purification, cloning, expression and biological characterization of an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein

Article Abstract:

Cytokines are regulatory proteins involved in many aspects of the body's response against the development of disease. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a cytokine that is activated in the body as a response to infection, tissue injury, inflammation, and autoimmunity. The gene for the cellular receptor for IL-1 has recently been isolated and characterized. An antagonist that binds with the IL-1 receptor, and therefore inhibits IL-1 function, has also been found. The activities of the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IRAP) include the inhibition of the binding of certain white blood cells to endothelial cells (cells that line the blood vessels) and the proliferation of thymocytes (lymphocytes of the thymus gland); these activities have been observed in the test tube. IRAP suppresses the release of corticosterone (a hormone produced by the adrenal gland) in the body, but does not inhibit the infiltration of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) during an inflammatory response. Because IRAP selectively binds with certain cells and tissues, there is probably more than one type of receptor for IL-1. Thus, there may be separate mechanisms for controlling the many activities of IL-1. These mechanisms need to be better understood before IL-1 antagonists such as IRAP can be used as therapeutic agents for various inflammatory diseases. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Interleukins, Growth factor receptors, Interleukin-1

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Assembly of GABAA receptor subunits determines sorting and localization in polarized cells

Article Abstract:

Receptor complexes in polarized cells have their localization and sorting coded by the same genetic process which assembles GABAA receptor subunits. The alpha-1 subunit is directed at the basolateral surface of epithelial cells, while the beta-1 subunit is directed at the apical membrane of epithelial cells. This indicates an ability of neurons to control synapses by altering the patterns of GABAA receptors.

Neurotransmitter receptors, GABA, GABA receptors

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