The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine receptor for interleukin 21 (IL21). It belongs to the type I cytokine receptors, and has been shown to form a heterodimeric receptor complex with the common gamma chain (γc), a receptor subunit also shared by the receptors for interleukin 2 (IL2), interleukin 7 (IL7) and interleukin 15 (IL15). This receptor transduces the growth promoting signal of IL21, and is important for the proliferation and differentiation of T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. The ligand binding of this receptor leads to the activation of multiple downstream signaling molecules, including JAK1, JAK3, STAT1, and STAT3. Knockout studies of a similar gene in mouse suggest a role for this gene in regulating immunoglobulin production. Three alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the same protein have been described.[5]
Asano K, Ikegami H, Fujisawa T, et al. (2007). "Molecular scanning of interleukin-21 gene and genetic susceptibility to type 1 diabetes". Hum. Immunol. 68 (5): 384–391. doi:10.1016/j.humimm.2007.01.009. PMID17462506.
Akamatsu N, Yamada Y, Hasegawa H, et al. (2007). "High IL-21 receptor expression and apoptosis induction by IL-21 in follicular lymphoma". Cancer Lett. 256 (2): 196–206. doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2007.06.001. PMID17624663.
