Identification of mRNAs differentially expressed in lymphocytes following interleukin-2 activation

We investigated genes involved in the interleukin-2 activation of cultured lymphocytes using a differential display reverse transcription PCR techniqu e. Three cDNA fragments corresponding to mRNAs differentially amplified in the activated lymphocytes were sequenced and identified These fragments wer e identical to the 3' region of the mRNAs encoding for the tumor rejection antigen TRA 1 that is the human homologue of the murine heat shock protein gp96, the DAP12 protein that possesses an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based act ivation moth, and the human motor protein p87/89 expressed in the heart. Th ese proteins are involved, respectively, in cellular communication, in sign al transduction, and in cellular movements. Our findings suggest that the a ctivation of cellular immune response by interleukin-2 is a process analogo us to other known phenomena of activation of catabolic reactions of energy transduction for activities which allow adaptation of cells to stress condi tions. (C) 1998 Academic Press.