The human IL-11 receptor requires gp130 for signalling: Demonstration by molecular cloning of the receptor

Abstract

We describe the molecular cloning of a cDNA for the α chain of the human IL-11 receptor (IL-11Rα) and demonstrate the requirement of either the human or mouse gp130 molecule for signalling. cDNA clones encoding IL-11Rα were isolated from a bone marrow cDNA library using a fragment from the murine IL-11Rα as a probe. The human receptor was predicted to consist of 422 amino acids and was found to share 84% identity with the murine protein. In the extra-cellular region it exhibited a single hemopoietin domain with conserved cysteine residues and WSTWS motif. The transmembrane region was followed by a short cytoplasmic tail which did not contain a tyrosine kinase domain. Interaction of the human..