IL15RA
IL15RA (interleukin 15 receptor subunit alpha, also known as CD215 or IL-15RA) is a cytokine receptor that binds interleukin 15 with high affinity. It shares two signalling subunits with the IL2 receptor, which underlies the overlapping biological activities of IL15 and IL2. Browse Assay Genie's current range of IL15RA research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
IL15RA is a cytokine receptor that specifically binds interleukin 15 (IL15) with high affinity. The receptors for IL15 and IL2 share two subunits, IL2R beta and IL2R gamma, and this common architecture is the basis of the many overlapping biological activities of the two cytokines. The IL15RA protein is structurally related to IL2R alpha, the IL2-specific alpha subunit that is needed for high-affinity IL2 binding.
A key difference separates the two alpha subunits. Unlike IL2RA, IL15RA can bind IL15 with high affinity independently of the other receptor subunits, which suggests that IL15 and IL2 have distinct roles despite their shared signalling components. IL15RA is reported to enhance cell proliferation and the expression of the apoptosis inhibitors BCL2L1 (BCL-XL) and BCL2, linking the receptor to cell survival.
The IL15RA gene belongs to the HGNC groups for CD molecules, interleukin receptors and sushi domain containing proteins. UniProt records the protein at the cell surface and in several membrane compartments, including the nuclear, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and cytoplasmic vesicle membranes, as well as in the extracellular space as a secreted form. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants of the gene have been reported. The previous HGNC name was interleukin 15 receptor, alpha, and the mouse ortholog is Il15ra. Researchers studying the IL15RA protein, the IL15RA gene or IL15RA antibody and ELISA-based readouts will often consider it alongside IL15 and the IL2 receptor subunits.
IL15RA shares the IL2R beta and IL2R gamma subunits with the IL2 receptor, making it a reference point for studying shared cytokine signalling components.
Because IL15RA binds IL15 with high affinity without other subunits, unlike IL2RA, it helps dissect the distinct roles of IL15 and IL2.
IL15RA is reported to enhance cell proliferation and expression of the apoptosis inhibitors BCL2L1 and BCL2, relevant to survival signalling studies.
Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants of IL15RA have been reported, making the gene a subject for isoform and expression studies.
IL15RA is a cytokine receptor that binds interleukin 15 with high affinity. It works with the IL2R beta and IL2R gamma subunits shared with the IL2 receptor, and is reported to enhance cell proliferation and expression of the apoptosis inhibitors BCL2L1 and BCL2.
IL15RA is also written IL-15RA and is designated CD215. HGNC previously named it interleukin 15 receptor, alpha. The full approved name is interleukin 15 receptor subunit alpha. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants of the gene have been reported.
Both are alpha subunits structurally related to one another, but IL2RA is needed for high-affinity IL2 binding, whereas IL15RA binds IL15 with high affinity independently of other subunits. This suggests distinct roles for IL15 and IL2. The mouse ortholog is Il15ra; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
IL-15, IL-2 and other interleukin targets related to IL15RA biology, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q13261; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.