Tyrosine phosphorylation of an interleukin 2 receptor-like protein in cells transformed by human T cell leukemia virus type I.

Three interleukin 2 (IL-2)-independent human T cell lines transformed with human T cell leukemia virus type I were analyzed for o-phosphotyrosine-containing proteins (Ptyr proteins). Membrane and intracellular immunofluorescence was positive with antibody to Ptyr (Ptyr antibody). 10 size classes of Ptyr proteins with molecular masses of 81-28 kD were isolated with Ptyr antibodies. Among these, proteins of 64 kD (pI 4.5 and 4.8-5.3) and 45 kD (pI 4.3) were found on the outer cell surface. The Ptyr protein of 64 kD (pI 4.5) had the characteristics of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2-R) in that it was recognized by two monoclonal antibodies directed against different epitopes on the IL-2-R.