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Function

Heterodimerizes with IL12B to form the IL-12 cytokine or with EBI3/IL27B to form the IL-35 cytokine. IL-12 is primarily produced by professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as B-cells and dendritic cells (DCs) as well as macrophages and granulocytes and regulates T-cell and natural killer-cell responses, induces the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), favors the differentiation of T-helper 1 (Th1) cells and is an important link between innate resistance and adaptive immunity. Mechanistically, exerts its biological effects through a receptor composed of IL12R1 and IL12R2 subunits. Binding to the receptor results in the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of cellular substrates including the JAK family kinases TYK2 and JAK2. In turn, recruited STAT4 gets phosphorylated and translocates to the nucleus where it regulates cytokine/growth factor responsive genes (By similarity). As part of IL-35, plays essential roles in maintaining the immune homeostasis of the liver microenvironment and functions also as an immune-suppressive cytokine (By similarity). Mediates biological events through unconventional receptors composed of IL12RB2 and gp130/IL6ST heterodimers or homodimers. Signaling requires the transcription factors STAT1 and STAT4, which form a unique heterodimer that binds to distinct DNA sites (By similarity).

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the IL-6 superfamily.

Cellular localization

  • Secreted

Alternative names

Interleukin-12 subunit alpha, IL-12A, Cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor 35 kDa subunit, IL-12 subunit p35, CLMF p35, IL12A

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Immunology & Infectious Disease

Molecular weight

24904Da

We found 2 products in 2 categories

Assay Kits

Target

Reactive species

Detection method

Search our catalogue for 'IL-12A' (2)

Products

ab314605

Monkey IL-12 p70 ELISA Kit

SimpleStep