This gene encodes a a pleiotropic cytokine of the interleukin family of proteins that plays important roles in the innate and adaptive cell homeostasis, as well as peripheral immune function. The encoded protein undergoes proteolytic processing to generate a mature cytokine that stimulates the proli
feration of natural killer cells. The transgenic mice overexpressing the encoded protein exhibit an increase in the number of memory CD8+ T cells in a naive state and enhanced protection against bacterial infections. Mice lacking the encoded protein exhibit impaired protection against a strain of attenuated Mycobacterium. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2016]
Predicted to enable interleukin-15 receptor activity and protein kinase binding activity. Acts upstream of or within positive regulation of natural killer cell differentiation. Located in cytoplasmic vesicle. Is expressed in central nervous system; olfactory epithelium; and retina. Orthologous to hu
The interleukin 2 receptor is composed of alpha and beta subunits. The beta subunit encoded by this gene is very homologous to the human beta subunit and also shows structural similarity to other cytokine receptors. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]