Description
Product Characteristics: IL16 is a CD8+ T cell-derived cytokine that induces chemotaxis of CD4+ T cells and CD4+ monocytes and eosinophils. Analysis by gel filtration suggests that, under physiological conditions, hIL16 exists predominantly as a noncovalently linked multimer, but that some IL16 may exist as a monomer. However, only the multimeric form appears to possess chemotactic activity, suggesting that receptor cross-linking may be required for activity. IL16 also induces expression of IL2 receptor (IL2R) and MHC class II molecules on CD4 + T cells. Human and Mouse IL16 show significant cross-species reactivity.
Target Information: The protein encoded by this gene is a pleiotropic cytokine that functions as a chemoattractant, a modulator of T cell activation, and an inhibitor of HIV replication. The signaling process of this cytokine is mediated by CD4. The product of this gene undergoes proteolytic processing, which is found to yield two functional proteins. The cytokine function is exclusively attributed to the secreted C-terminal peptide, while the N-terminal product may play a role in cell cycle control. Caspase 3 is reported to be involved in the proteolytic processing of this protein. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2010]