H. Kotanides et Nc. Reich, REQUIREMENT OF TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION FOR RAPID ACTIVATION OF A DNA-BINDING FACTOR BY IL-4, Science, 262(5137), 1993, pp. 1265-1267
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is an immunoregulatory cytokine produced by activ
ated T lymphocytes to promote the growth and differentiation of cells
that participate in immune defense. This study demonstrates the rapid
activation of a specific DNA binding factor by IL-4. The IL-4 nuclear-
activated factor (IL-4 NAF) appeared within minutes of IL-4 stimulatio
n and recognized a specific DNA sequence found in the promoters of IL-
4-responsive genes. Activation of this putative transcription factor r
equired tyrosine phosphorylation, and antibodies specific for phosphot
yrosine recognize the IL-4 NAF-DNA complex. Thus, IL-4 appears to tran
sduce a signal to the nucleus through tyrosine phosphorylation of a la
tent DNA binding factor.