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The innat immune system dtects the presence of foreign organisms and initiates a coordinated response to eliminate infectious threats. Among the microbial products sensed by innate immune effectors, efficient recognition…

Receptors are macromolecules with which endogenous or exogenous compounds interact to produce a characteristic biologic effect.  Law Mass Action provides that [L] X [R]/[LR] = Koff/Kon = Kd. Kd is…

PTKs are enzymes that transfer the y-phosphate group of ATP to tyrosine residues on target substrate proteins. They are a large superfamily of enzymes comprising both transmembrane-spanning receptors with an…

See also DAMPS Patent or pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) interact with receptors on innate immune cells to initiate protective immune responses. PAMPS for Nucleic Acids: (see Viral Sensing Proteins)…

The JAK-STAT family of proteins for signal transduction consists of 4 Janus family tyrosine kinases (JAKI-1, JAK-2, JAK-3, and TYK-2) and seven latent cytosolic transcription factors (). Activated JAKs phosphorylate…

The immunophilins are a family of protiens that function as receptors for immunosuppressant drugs, such as cyclosporin A, FK506, and rapamycin. The immunophilins occur in two separate classes, (1) the…

The hedgehog gene family encodes secreted proteins important in many developmental patterning events in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Members of the Hedgehog family of signaling molecules mediate many important short…

See also G Protein-Coupled Receptors: Introduction: G proteins are membrane-linked macromolecules whose activities are controlled by binding of the guanosine nucleotides GTP and GDP, which act as molecular switches. Bound GTP turns…

Hsp90 is one of the most abundant proteins of eukaryotic cells, comprising 1-2% of total proteins under nonstress conditions. It is evolutionarily conserved among species, and is essential for cell…