Viral sensors: diversity in pathogen recognition.
Innate sensors of viral infection detect viral products and initiate the signal cascades that lead to the antiviral response. Several proteins have been identified to play a role in this process, mostly members of the Toll-like receptor and retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptor families. These receptors have been demonstrated to function in part by recognizing a diverse yet unique repertoire of nucleic acid substrates. Upon recognition of their ligands, these sensors activate distinct signaling pathways that lead to the secretion of type I interferon and inflammatory cytokines. It remains to be seen, however, if these sensors are redundant or whether each serves a unique function. In this work, we review the current knowledge of viral sensors, speculate on how they may function in vivo, and explore the potential reasons for their diversity.
McCartney
Stephen A
SA
Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Colonna
Marco
M
D000818:Animals; D053468:CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D053594:Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport; D012327:RNA Virus Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012328:RNA Viruses / Q000502:physiology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013045:Species Specificity; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000097905:Roundabout Proteins
D053468:CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D053594:Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; C118348:Robo3 protein, mouse; D000097905:Roundabout Proteins