Use of a cDNA expression vector for isolation of mouse interleukin 2 cDNA clones: expression of T-cell growth-factor activity after transfection of monkey cells.

A cDNA sequence coding for mouse interleukin 2 (IL-2) has been cloned from a cDNA library prepared from mRNA derived from a concanavalin A-activated mouse T-cell clone. The library was constructed by using the pcD vector system, which permits the expression of cDNA inserts in mammalian cells. Screening of the library was performed by transfecting COS-7 monkey cells with pools of cDNA clones in order to express the products encoded by full-length cDNA inserts. By assaying the supernatant fluid, IL-2 cDNA clones that express T-cell growth-factor (TCGF) activity were identified. The DNA sequence codes for a polypeptide of 169 amino acid residues including a putative signal peptide. The mouse IL-2 amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of its cDNA shares extensive homology with the human IL-2 amino acid sequence reported previously. These results demonstrate that identification of full-length cDNA clones for many lymphokines may be achieved entirely on the basis of detection of the functional polypeptides in mammalian cells.