Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1979088 | Current Opinion in Structural Biology | 2012 | 10 Pages |
Cytokines are well recognized for the pleiotropic nature of their signaling and biological activities on many cell types and their role in health and disease. Recent years have seen a steady stream of new cytokine receptor crystal structures including those that are activated by GM-CSF, type I interferon, and a variety of interleukins. Highlights include the observation of a dodecameric signaling complex for the GM-CSF receptor, electron microscopy imaging of an intact gp130/IL-6/IL-6Rα ternary receptor complex bound to its signal transducing Janus kinase and visualization of novel cytokine recognition mechanisms in the interleukin-17 and type I interferon families. This increasing knowledge in cytokine structural biology is driving new opportunities for developing novel therapies to modulate cytokine function in a diverse range of diseases including malignancies and chronic inflammation.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (204 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Structure of the GM-CSF receptor complex reveals a dodecameric signaling unit. ► N-glycosylation of IL-7 receptor found critical for high affinity binding of IL-7. ► Structure of an IL-17R complex reveals a novel mode of cytokine recognition. ► Type 1 interferon receptors recognize diverse cytokines through ‘anchor points’. ► Visualization of intact gp130/IL-6/IL-6Rα ternary receptor bound to a Janus kinase.