Recombinant Cynomolgus/Rhesus IL-6R alpha Fc Protein, CF

This product is produced by and ships from R&D Systems, Inc., a Bio-Techne brand.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that exerts its activities by binding to a high-affinity receptor complex consisting of two membrane glycoproteins: an 80 kDa ligand binding subunit (IL-6R alpha /CD126) and a 130 kDa nonligand-binding signal-transducing subunit (gp130/CD130) (1-4). The cynomolgus IL-6R alpha cDNA encodes a precursor type I transmembrane protein of 468 amino acids (aa), and based on its similarity with human IL-6R alpha it is predicted to contain a 19 aa signal sequence, a 345 aa extracellular ligand binding domain, a 21 aa transmembrane region, and a 75 aa cytoplasmic segment (2). The extracellular segment likely contains an Ig-like and a fibronectin-type III domain, plus a membrane proximal WSXWS motif. In their extracellular regions, Cynomolgus IL-6R alpha shares 97% aa identity with human IL-6R alpha. Unlike gp130 that is expressed ubiquitously, the cellular distribution of IL-6R alpha is predominantly limited to hepatocytes and leukocyte subpopulations such as monocytes, neutrophils, T and B cells. Soluble IL-6R alpha has been found in various body fluids (5). Two soluble receptor isoforms that arise either from proteolytic cleavage of the membrane-bound IL-6R alpha, or by alternative mRNA splicing (reported only in human) have been described (6, 7). Soluble IL-6R alpha binds IL-6 with an affinity similar to that of the membrane-bound IL-6 R alpha. More importantly, the soluble IL-6 R alpha /IL-6 complex is capable of interacting with the membrane-bound gp130 to activate cells that lack an integral membrane IL-6R alpha. It has been documented that elevated soluble IL-6R is associated with numerous diseases including arthritic lesions, multiple myeloma and Crohn's disease (6, 7).

Array 10408-SR

• IL-6R alpha Antibodies
• IL-6R alpha Antibody Pair
• IL-6R alpha ELISA Kit
• IL-6R alpha Proteins and Enzymes
• IL-6R alpha ELISAs