Type II cytokine receptor


Type II cytokine receptors are transmembrane proteins that are expressed on the surface of certain cells, which bind and respond to a select group of cytokines. These receptors are similar to type I cytokine receptors except they do not possess the signature sequence WSXWS that is characteristic of type I receptors.

Structure

Typically type II cytokine receptors are heterodimers or multimers with a high and a low affinity component. These receptors are related predominantly by sequence similarities in their extracellular portions that are composed of tandem Ig-like domains. The structure of extracellular domain of one such receptor, the Interferon-gamma receptor in complex with IFNγ, has been determined by x-ray crystallography. This complex has a 2:2:2 stoichiometry, with two copies each of the IFNγR1 and IFNγR2 monomers contacting the IFNγ dimer. The intracellular domain of type II cytokine receptors is typically associated with a tyrosine kinase belonging to the Janus kinase family.

Types

Type II cytokine receptors include those that bind type I and type II interferons, and those that bind members of the interleukin-10 family.

Interferon receptors

The interferon receptor is a molecule displayed on the surface of cells which allows them to interact with the anti-viral substance interferon. The receptor is genetically coded for by number of different genes, as there are a few distinct types of interferon. Interferon receptor deficiency is a condition showing some amenability to genetic therapy.