TLR9: Two Rings To Bind Them To Pathogen DNA

Sunday, February 15, 2015 - 16:31 in Biology & Nature

Researchers have discovered how Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) binds to pathogen DNA, activating the innate immune system. This discovery is vital for the design of new antiviral, antibacterial, allergy and other drugs targeting TLR9. Invading pathogens such as bacteria or viruses leave traces in the form of DNA fragments, proteins and other biomolecules. TLR9 is a membrane-bound protein that detects these traces by recognizing a DNA sequence called Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine dinucleotide (CpG), a motif that is specific to bacteria and viruses. This brings about the release of interferon and induces inflammation, but until recently, the structure of TLR9 and how it functions remained unknown. read more

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