Isolation and functional property of mRNAs coding for human interleukin 2.

Interleukin 2 (IL 2) is a lymphokine with specific growth promoting properties for activated T cells. The isolation and purification of specific mRNAs coding for this protein is reported. The analysis of total poly A + containing RNA from PHA stimulated T lymphocytes on agarose gels reveals the existence of at least two different IL-2 mRNAs. Isolated RNAs have been microinjected separately into Xenopus laevis oocytes for translation and consecutively the synthesized proteins were tested for activity on alloactivated T cell lines which were dependent on IL-2 for growth. Both RNAs coded for a protein which displayed clearly detectable IL-2 activity.