The Cytokine Receptor gp130: Faithfully Promiscuous

Gerhard Müller-Newen^*

Institut für Biochemie, Universitätsklinikum RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.

Summary: Diverse cytokines can signal through receptor complexes containing the gp130 subunit. These cytokines, which include interleukin (IL)-6, IL-11, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), oncostatin M (OSM), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), and CLC (cardiotrophin-like cytokine), are implicated in inflammatory and immune responses, heart development, and fertility. The gp130 receptor-ligand complexes are contrasted with the complex formed by erythropoietin (Epo) and its receptor, EpoR. Also discussed are insights provided by the structural analysis of IL-6, its receptor (IL6R), and the signal transducer gp130 for understanding receptor-ligand assembly, for predicting the structures of ligand-receptor complexes of the other IL-6-type cytokines, and for rational drug design.

*Contact information. Telephone, +49-241-80-88860; fax, +49-241-80-82428; e-mail, mueller-newen{at}rwth-aachen.de

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