INTERLEUKIN 16 HUMAN

General description

IL-16 (interleukin 16), or LCF (lymphocyte chemoattractant factor), was first functionally and biochemically characterized in 1982. IL-16 is produced as a precursor protein (pro-IL16), composed of 631 residues which undergoes cleavage by caspase-3 to produce and secrete a C-terminal biologically active peptide of 121 amino acids. This gene is localized to human chromosome 15q26.3.

Biochem/physiol Actions

IL-16 (interleukin 16) is a pleiotropic proinflammatory cytokine that stimulates chemotactic and immunomodulatory responses of CD4⁺ (cluster of differentiation) lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils, via signaling through CD4. It prevents HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) replication, and promotes the expression of IL-2R by human T-cells. Study in Chinese population show that polymorphisms in this gene are linked with susceptibility to knee osteoarthritis (OA). IL-16 plays a key role in the release of tumor-related inflammatory cytokines, and the rs4778889 variant in this gene is linked with increased risk of RCC (renal cell cancer) in Chinese population.
Human and murine IL-16 show significant cross-species reactivity. Recombinant human IL-16 is a 12.4kDa protein consisting of 121 amino acid residues.

Sequence

SAASASAASD VSVESTAEAT VCTVTLEKMS AGLGFSLEGG KGSLHGDKPL TINRIFKGAA SEQSETVQPG DEILQLGGTA MQGLTRFEAW NIIKALPDGP VTIVIRRKSL QSKETTAAGD S

Physical form

Lyophilized from 5 mM Sodium Citrate, pH 5.5 + 0.5 mM DTT.

Reconstitution

Centrifuge the vial prior to opening. Reconstitute in water to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/ml. Do not vortex. This solution can be stored at 2-8°C for up to 1 week. For extended storage, it is recommended to further dilute in a buffer containing a stabilizer (example 5% Trehalose) and store in working aliquots at -20°C to -80°C.