Interleukin 1 receptor-like 1, also known as IL1RL1 and ST2, is a protein

Protein

Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...

 that in humans is encoded by the IL1RL1 gene

Gene

A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...

.

Function

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the interleukin-1 receptor

Interleukin-1 receptor

Interleukin-1 receptor is a cytokine receptor which binds interleukin 1. Two forms of the receptor exist. The type I receptor is primarily responsible for transmitting the inflammatory effects of interleukin-1 while type II receptors may act as a suppressor of IL-1 activity by competing for...

 family. Studies of the similar gene in mouse suggested that this receptor can be induced by proinflammatory stimuli, and may be involved in the function of helper T cells. This gene, interleukin 1 receptor, type I (IL1R1), interleukin 1 receptor, type II (IL1R2) and interleukin 1 receptor-like 2 (IL1RL2) form a cytokine receptor gene cluster in a region mapped to chromosome 2q12. Alternative splicing of this gene results in multiple transcript variants.

Molecular biology

The gene is found on the long arm of Chromosome 2 (2q12). It is 40,536 bases long and is located on the Watson (plus) strand. It encodes a protein of 556 amino acids (molecular weight 63,358 Da). Both membrane bound and soluble forms are known. The protein is known to interact with MyD88

Myd88

Myeloid differentiation primary response gene is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the MYD88 gene.-Function:In mice, MyD88 is a universal adapter protein as it is used by all TLRs to activate the transcription factor NF-κB. Mal is necessary to recruit Myd88 to TLR 2 and TLR 4, and MyD88...

, IRAK1

IRAK1

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the IRAK1 gene.-Interactions:IRAK1 has been shown to interact with Myd88, IKBKG, IKK2, TRAF6, CHUK and Ubiquitin C.-Further reading:...

, IRAK4 and TRAF6

TRAF6

TRAF6 is a TRAF human protein.-Interactions:TRAF6 has been shown to interact with SDCBP, IRAK2, IRAK1, MAP3K7IP2, MAP3K7IP1, TNFRSF13B, FHL2, CD40, IKBKG, RANK, HSPB2, UBE2N, SIGIRR, TAX1BP1, ASK1, PPP4C, TNFAIP3, Sequestosome 1, MAP3K7 and Ubiquitin C....

. It appears to be essential for the normal function of T helper cells type 2 (Th2 cells).

Clinical relevance

ST2 (also known as IL1RL1) has been extensively studied as a prognostic tool in patients with heart failure and acute coronary syndrome.

Mutations in this gene have been linked to atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, chronically relapsing, non-contagious and pruritic skin disorder...

 and asthma

Asthma

Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...

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Further reading