Interleukin 31
Encyclopedia
Interleukin-31 also known as IL-31 is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the IL31 gene
.
with a four-helix bundle structure, which is preferentially produced by type 2 helper T cells (Th2). The structure of IL-31 places it in the IL-6
family of cytokines. IL-31 signals via a receptor complex that is composed of IL-31 receptor A (IL31RA
) and oncostatin M receptor
subunits. These receptor subunits are expressed in activated monocytes and in unstimulated epithelial cells.
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 IL31 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
IL-31 is a cytokineCytokine
Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...
with a four-helix bundle structure, which is preferentially produced by type 2 helper T cells (Th2). The structure of IL-31 places it in the IL-6
Interleukin 6
Interleukin-6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL6 gene.IL-6 is an interleukin that acts as both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine. It is secreted by T cells and macrophages to stimulate immune response, e.g. during infection and after trauma, especially burns or other...
family of cytokines. IL-31 signals via a receptor complex that is composed of IL-31 receptor A (IL31RA
IL31RA
Interleukin-31 receptor A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL31RA gene.-Further reading:...
) and oncostatin M receptor
Oncostatin M receptor
Oncostatin-M specific receptor subunit beta also known as the oncostatin M receptor, is one of the receptor proteins for oncostatin M, that in humans is encoded by the OSMR gene.OSMR is a member of the type I cytokine receptor family...
subunits. These receptor subunits are expressed in activated monocytes and in unstimulated epithelial cells.