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Biochem/physiol Actions

IL-1α (interleukin) and IL-1β bind with IL-1 receptor and function as proinflammatory cytokines, whereas IL-1Rα competes to bind with IL-1R but is not proinflammatory. IL-1α can function as an intracrine molecule or as a transcription factor. IL-1 plays a major role in ischemic brain damage, as the inactivation of both IL-1α and IL-1β lead to significant suppression in brain injury. However, inactivation of only IL-1α does not have much influence on overall damage due to some compensatory modifications in the IL-1 system. A hospital-based case-control study showed that rs3783553 variant in this gene is linked with reduced risk of breast cancer. Tumor cell production of IL-1α helps their transmigration across the endothelium, and the expression of IL-1α is linked with distant metastasis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

General description

IL-1α (interleukin) is one of the three isoforms of IL-1, the other two being IL-1β and IL-1Rα. It is a proinflammatory macrophage cytokine. IL-1α is produced de novo and can either be actively secreted or can be released passively by apoptotic cells. This gene is localized to human chromosome 2q13–2q14.1.Recombinant human IL-1α is an 18.0 kDa protein containing 159 amino acid residues.

Physical form

Lyophilized from 3.2 mM Tris, pH 8.3 + 16 mM NaCl.

Reconstitution

Centrifuge the vial prior to opening. Reconstitute in water to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/ml. Do not vortex. This solution can be stored at 2-8°C for up to 1 week. For extended storage, it is recommended to further dilute in a buffer containing a carrier protein (example 0.1% BSA) and store in working aliquots at -20°C to -80°C.