Type II cytokine receptors are transmembrane proteins that are expressed on the surface of certain cells, which bind and respond to a select group of cytokines. These receptors are similar to type I cytokine receptors except they do not possess the signature sequence WSXWS that is characteristic of type I receptors.
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Structure
Typically type II cytokine receptors are heterodimers or multimers with a high and a low affinity component. Currently no complete structure of the extracellular domains of a type II cytokine receptor is available. These receptors are related predominantly by sequence similarities in their extracellular portions that are composed of tandem Ig-like domains. The intracellular domain of type II cytokine receptors is typically associated with a tyrosine kinase belonging to the Janus kinase (JAK) family.
Types
Type II cytokine receptors include those that bind type I and type II interferons, and those that bind members of the interleukin-10 family (interleukin-10, interleukin-20 and interleukin-22).
Interferon receptors
The interferon receptor is a molecule displayed on the surface of cells which allows them to interact with the anti-viral substance interferon. The receptor is genetically coded for by number of different genes, as there are a few distinct types of interferon. Interferon receptor deficiency is a condition showing some amenability to genetic therapy.