Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a critical role in the regulation of immune responses. Its effects depend on its binding to and signaling through a receptor complex consisting of the IL-4 receptor (also referred to as IL-4 receptor alpha chain) which binds IL-4 and a gamma chain shared with other cytokine receptors which amplifies the signaling. Activation of the receptor results in a series of phosphorylation events mediated by receptor-associated kinases, leading to the recruitment of mediators of cell growth, of resistance to apoptosis, and of gene activation and differentiation. Consistent with its central role in regulating the production of IgE, the IL-4 receptor has been implicated in the pathophysiology of allergic inflammatory diseases (see OMIM entry for details).
NCBI Summary:
IL4R when complexed with the common gamma chain (IL2RG) serves as the high-affinity interleukin 4 (IL4) receptor.
General function
Receptor
Comment
Like other members of the cytokine receptor superfamily, the interleukin-4 receptor consists of an extracellular domain (with 4 conserved cysteine residues and a WSXWS motif), a single membrane-spanning domain and an intracellular domain.
Cellular localization
Secreted, Cytoplasmic
Comment
Ovarian function
Ovulation, Luteinization
Comment
Chandra P. Leo, et al 2001 used
DNA array to analyze changes in preovulatory gene expression in the rat
Ovary. They reported that
the
screening identified a group of candidate genes whose ovarian
expression and gonadotropin regulation was hitherto unknown. The
induction of three of these genes, encoding cutaneous fatty acid-binding
protein, the interleukin-4 receptor alpha chain, and prepronociceptin, was
confirmed and further characterized by Northern blot analysis. In addition,
in situ hybridization analysis showed that hCG administration resulted in
exclusive or predominant expression of all three genes in theca cells.