Figure 7 - full size

 

Figure 7.
FIGURE 7. Comparison of IL-15 quaternary complex model and IL-2 quaternary complex. The superimposed structures are shown as ribbon representations and are colored as in Fig. 6A. Note that the distinct conformation of the hA-hB loop of IL-15 places this region of the ligand into the vicinity of the hC-hC'1 loop of [c] where unique interactions can potentially take place. Also note the position and length of hA of IL-15 and IL-2 quaternary complex interface. IL-2 residues Leu-12, Glu-15, Leu-18, and Leu-19 from the N-terminal portion of hA participate in interactions at a three-way junction between IL-2·IL-2Rβ and [c] that is suggested to mediate cooperative binding. Due to the shorter hA of IL-15, it has no homologous residue to Leu-12 of IL-2. Furthermore, IL-2 residues Glu-15, Leu-18, and Leu-19 have diverged to Ile-3, Arg-6, and Tyr-7 in IL-15 making it unlikely that a homologous set of interactions takes place at the IL-15·IL-2Rβ/ [c] junction.

The above figure is reprinted by permission from the ASBMB: J Biol Chem (2007, 282, 37191-37204) copyright 2007.