Interleukin 13 Receptor Alpha 2 (IL13Ra2)

Interleukin 13 receptor, alpha 2 is closely related to Il13RA1, a subuint of the interleukin 13 receptor complex. This protein binds IL13 with high affinity, but lacks cytoplasmic domain, and does not appear to function as a signal mediator. It is reported to play a role in the internalization of IL13.

To isolate components of IL13 receptors,Caput et al. (1996) first identified a human renal carcinoma cell line that expressed a high number of IL13-binding proteins. By screening a cDNA library derived from this cell line for the ability to direct synthesis of a cell surface IL13-binding protein, Caput et al. (1996) isolated cDNAs encoding IL13RA2, called IL13R by them. Human cells expressing IL13RA2 showed specific IL13 binding.