[5][6] This gene was discovered in 1982 at Boston University by Dr. David Center and Dr. William Cruikshank.

The product of this gene undergoes proteolytic processing, which is found to yield two functional proteins.

The cytokine function is exclusively attributed to the secreted C-terminal peptide, while the N-terminal product may play a role in cell cycle control.

[9] This cytokine is produced as a precursor peptide (pro-IL-16) that requires processing by an enzyme called caspase-3 to become active.

Interleukin 16 has been shown to interact with: This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.