Scientific background: |
TLR4, Toll-like receptor 4, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TLR4 gene.TLR 4 is a toll-like receptor. TLR4, the human homolog of Drosophila Toll, is a type I transmembrane protein with an extracellular domain consisting of a leucine-rich repeat region and an intracellular domain homologous to that of human interleukin-1 receptor. The TLR4 gene is mapped to chromosome 9q32-q33 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.It detects lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria and is thus important in the activation of the innate immune system.The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, which plays a fundamental role in pathogen recognition and activation of innate immunity. TLRs are highly conserved from Drosophila to humans and share structural and functional similarities. They recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are expressed on infectious agents, and mediate the production of cytokines necessary for the development of effective immunity. |
References: |
1. Medzhitov, R., Preston-Hurlburt, P., Janeway, C. A., Jr.A human homologue of the Drosophila Toll protein signals activation of adaptive immunity.Nature 388: 394-397, 1997.
2. Park, B. S., Song, D. H., Kim, H. M., Choi, B.-S., Lee, H., Lee, J.-O.The structural basis of lipopolysaccharide recognition by the TLR4-MD-2 complex.Nature 458: 1191-1195, 2009.
3. Rock, F. L., Hardiman, G., Timans, J. C., Kastelein, R. A., Bazan, J. F.A family of human receptors structurally related to Drosophila Toll.Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 95: 588-593, 1998.
|