Janus kinase-3 (Jak3) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase functionally coupled to cytokine receptors which share a "common" gamma chain (gamma c). Mutations in gamma c and Jak3 genes have been identified in X-linked and autosomal severe combined immuno deficiency (SCID), respectively. Jak3 is expressed and activated in myelomonocytic cells. The present study was designed to define the structural alteration responsible for lack of Jak3 in a patient with autosomal SCID and to characterize monocyte function in the absence of this signal transduction element, as well as to establish the whole exon-intron structure. Polymerase chain reaction analysis, performed with primers designed on exon sequences, identified 20 exons spanning approximately 15 kb. These primers, or others designed on the flanking sequences provided in the present report, can be used to amplify the whole gene, allowing the definition of the molecular defects in all cases, including prenatal diagnosis, in which transcript analysis is not possible. On this basis, the deletion transcript found at the homozygous state in patient CM, with both his consanguineous parents being heterozygous for the deletion, was associated with mutation (T to C) of a splice donor site of intron 16 that was also detected in his mother's DNA. Monocytes from Jak3-SCID showed normal cytokine production in response to interleukin-4 (IL-4) (release of IL-1 receptor antagonist) and IL-2 (release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-8). Lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production was also normal and was blocked by IL-4 in Jak3- SCID monocytes. Interferon-gamma induced augmented expression of major histocompatibility class II in Jak3-SCID monocytes. These data indicate that Jak3, expressed and activated in myelomonocytic cells, is dispensable for monocyte differentiation and responsiveness to cytokines that interact with gamma c receptors as well as to other regulatory signals.