title: Recognition of bacterial peptidoglycan by the innate immune system.
abstract: The innate immune system recognizes microorganisms through a series of pattern recognition receptors that are highly conserved in evolution. Peptidoglycan (PGN) is a unique and essential component of the cell wall of virtually all bacteria and is not present in eukaryotes, and thus is an excellent target for the innate immune system. Indeed, higher eukaryotes, including mammals, have several PGN recognition molecules, including CD14, Toll-like receptor 2, a family of peptidoglycan recognition proteins, Nod1 and Nod2, and PGN-lytic enzymes (lysozyme and amidases). These molecules induce host responses to microorganisms or have direct antimicrobial effects.
authors.affiliation: Northwest Center for Medical Education, Indiana University School of Medicine, 3400 Broadway, Gary, Indiana 46408, USA. rdziar@iun.edu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dziarski
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015394:Molecular Structure; D053474:Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C119067:NOD1 protein, human; D053474:Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C495342:TLR2 protein, human; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; C118897:peptidoglycan recognition protein