Molecular cloning of a novel CC chemokine, interleukin-11 receptor α-locus chemokine (ILC), which is located on chromosome 9p13 and a potential homologue of a CC chemokine encoded by molluscum contagiosum virus

Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) encodes a CC chemokine MC148R which is likely to have been acquired from the host. By a homology search employing MC148R as a probe, we hale identified a novel CC chemokine whose gene exists next to the IL-11 receptor alpha (IL-11R alpha) gene in both humans and mice. Thus, this chemokine maps to chromosome 9p13 in humans where IL-11R alpha has been assigned, We term this novel chemokine IL-11R alpha-locus chemokine (ILC), ILC has the highest homology to MC148R among the known human CC chemokines. Furthermore, ILC is strongly and selectively expressed in the skin where infection of MCV also takes place, Thus, ILC is likely to be the original chemokine of MC148R. (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.