Background：The interleukin 2 （IL2） receptor alpha （IL2RA） and beta （IL2RB） chains, together with the common gamma chain （IL2RG）, constitute the high-affinity IL2 receptor. Homodimeric alpha chains （IL2RA） result in low-affinity receptor, while homodimeric beta （IL2RB） chains produce a medium-affinity receptor. Normally an integral-membrane protein, soluble IL2RA has been isolated and determined to result from extracellular proteolyisis. Alternately-spliced IL2RA mRNAs have been isolated, but the significance of each is presently unknown. Mutations in this gene are associated with interleukin 2 receptor alpha deficiency.
