cDNA Cloning of Biologically Active Chicken Interleukin-18

Schneider, Kirsten; Puehler, Florian; Baeuerle, Daniela; Elvers, Sandra; Staeheli, Peter; Kaspers, Bernd and Weining, Kirsten C. (2000): cDNA Cloning of Biologically Active Chicken Interleukin-18. In: Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research, Vol. 20, No. 10: pp. 879-883

Abstract

By searching a chicken EST database, we identified a cDNA clone that appeared to contain the entire open reading frame (ORF) of chicken interleukin-18 (ChIL-18). The encoded protein consists of 198 amino acids and exhibits approximately 30% sequence identity to IL-18 of humans and various others mammals. Sequence comparisons reveals a putative caspase-1 cleavage site at aspartic acid 29 of the primary translation product, indicating that mature ChIL-18 might consist of 169 amino acids. Bacterially expressed ChIL-18 in which the N-terminal 29 amino acids of the putative precursor molecule were replaced by a histidine tag induced the synthesis of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in cultured primary chicken spleen cells, indicating that the recombinant protein is biologically active.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Faculties: Veterinary Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 1557-7465
• Language: English