The rat interleukin 10 receptor: Cloning and sequencing of cDNA coding forthe alpha-chain protein sequence, and demonstration by western blotting ofexpression in the rat brain

cDNA coding for the alpha chain of the rat interleukin 10 (IL-10) receptor was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloned and sequenced. The nucleic acid coding sequence exhibited 88% and 68% homology with the mouse and human IL-10 receptor sequences, respectively. The translated protein e xhibited 83% and 61% homology with the mouse and human IL-10 receptor prote ins. Specific antibodies were raised to the extracellular domain of the rat IL-10 receptor expressed as a secreted protein in recombinant Drosophila S 2 cells. Western blotting using these antibodies demonstrated the presence of the IL-10 receptor in five major regions of the rat brain (cortex, cereb ellum, hippocampus, hypothalamus and pituitary), supporting a role for IL-1 0 as a central regulator of inflammation. (C) 2001 Academic Press.