A chymotryptic-type serine protease is required for IL-2 production by Jurkat T cells.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by activated Jurkat T cells was markedly delayed when these cells were treated with low concentrations of the chymotryptic-type protease inhibitor N-α-p-tosyl-Lphenylalanine chloromethylketone (TPCK). This increased lag time observed in the presence of TPCK directly correlates with the interaction of the inhibitor with a unique 42,000 molecular weight (MW) serine protease, which can be labelled with [³H]DFP, and was not due to an intracellular accumulation of a non-mature form of IL-2 nor to a non-specific inhibition of overall protein synthesis. The results presented in this report indicate that a 42,000 MW chymotryptic-like serine protease is required for IL-2 production by activated Jurkat T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Immunology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)