Tim protein structures reveal a unique face for ligand binding.
Tim molecules regulate T cell responses; however, the molecular basis of their ligand recognition remains largely unknown. In this issue of Immunity, Santiago et al. (2007) and Cao et al. (2007) report the crystal structures of several Tims and provide insights into the structure-function relationship of these molecules.
Anderson
Ana C
AC
Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Xiao
Sheng
S
Kuchroo
Vijay K
VK
D000818:Animals; D000072596:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000737:chemistry*
C442240:Havcr1 protein, mouse; C442241:Havcr2 protein, mouse; D000072596:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011991:Receptors, Virus; C442242:Timd2 protein, mouse