Innate immune responses to microbial poisons: discovery and function of the Toll-like receptors.
There are many circumstances under which a toxin exploits an endogenous receptor or another protein of host origin to work its untoward effects. In most instances, the receptor normally fulfills a function that has nothing to do with the toxin per se; that is, the toxin is not the "natural" ligand. The situation with endotoxin, however, is a remarkable one. The endotoxin receptor evolved to detect endotoxin. Why have mammals maintained a gene that can undermine their survival? The search for the endotoxin receptor answered this question and also revealed the essential function and biological strategy of the Toll-like receptors: principal sensors of the innate immune system.
Beutler
Bruce
B
The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Immunology, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. bruce@scripps.edu
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000502:physiology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000633:toxicity*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors