Molecular cloning of a novel CC chemokine, interleukin-11 receptor alpha-locus chemokine (ILC), which is located on chromosome 9p13 and a potential homologue of a CC chemokine encoded by molluscum contagiosum virus

Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) encodes a CC chemokine MC148R which is li kely to have been acquired from the host. By a homology search employing MC 148R as a probe, we hale identified a novel CC chemokine whose gene exists next to the IL-11 receptor alpha (IL-11R alpha) gene in both humans and mic e. Thus, this chemokine maps to chromosome 9p13 in humans where IL-11R alph a has been assigned, We term this novel chemokine IL-11R alpha-locus chemok ine (ILC), ILC has the highest homology to MC148R among the known human CC chemokines. Furthermore, ILC is strongly and selectively expressed in the s kin where infection of MCV also takes place, Thus, ILC is likely to be the original chemokine of MC148R. (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical S ocieties.