Interaction of IL-2Rβ and γ_c chains with Jak1 and Jak3: Implications for XSCID and XCID

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling requires the dimerization of the IL-2 receptor β (IL-2Rβ) and common γ (γ_c) chains. Mutations of γ_c can result in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID). IL-2, IL-4, IL-7 (whose receptors are known to contain γ_c), and IL-9 (whose receptor is shown here to contain γ_c) induced the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the Janus family tyrosine kinases Jak1 and Jak3. Jak1 and Jak3 associated with IL-2Rβ and γ_c, respectively; IL-2 induced Jak3-IL-2Rβ and increased Jak3-γ_c associations. Truncations of γ_c, and a γ_c, point mutation causing moderate X-linked combined immunodeficiency (XCID), decreased γ_C-Jak3 association. Thus, γ_c mutations in at least some XSCID and XCID patients prevent normal Jak3 activation, suggesting that mutations of Jak3 may result in an XSCID-like phenotype.