Differential user of the β(L) subunit of the type I interferon (IFN) receptor determines signaling specificity for IFNα2 and IFNβ

Abstract

The signaling specificity for cytokines that have common receptor subunits is achieved by the presence of additional cytokine-specific receptor components. In the type I interferon (IFN) family, all 14 subtypes of IFNα, IFNβ, and IFNω bind to the same α and β(L) subunits of the type I IFN-R, yet differences in signaling and biological effects exist among them. Our data demonstrate that IFNα2 and IFNβ utilize different regions of the β(L) subunit for signaling. Thus, in contrast to other cytokine systems, signal diversity in the type I IFN system can be accomplished within the same receptor complex by utilizing different regions of the same receptor subunits.