Interleukin-7 receptor-α
Encyclopedia
Interleukin-7 receptor subunit alpha (IL7R-α) also known as CD127 (Cluster of Differentiation 127) is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the IL7R gene
.
IL7R-α is a type I cytokine receptor
and is a subunit of the functional Interleukin-7 receptor
and Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP
) receptors.
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 IL7R 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...
.
IL7R-α is a type I cytokine receptor
Type I cytokine receptor
Type I cytokine receptors are transmembrane receptors expressed on the surface of cells that recognize and respond to cytokines with four α-helical strands. These receptors are also known under the name hemopoietin receptors, and share a common amino acid motif in the extracellular portion...
and is a subunit of the functional Interleukin-7 receptor
Interleukin-7 receptor
The interleukin-7 receptor is a protein found on the surface of cells. It is made up of two different smaller protein chains - i.e. it is a heterodimer, and consists of two subunits, interleukin-7 receptor-α and common-γ chain receptor . The common-γ chain receptors is shared with various...
and Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP
TSLP
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin is a protein belonging to the cytokine family. It is known to play an important role in the maturation of T cell populations through activation of antigen presenting cells....
) receptors.