Series introduction: multiligand receptors and human disease.

摘要: By virtue of their specific interactions with extracellular ligands, cell surface receptors can transduce signals, carry out endocytosis and other forms transport, mediate the adhesion cells to substrata or cells. While it has generally been assumed that physiologic activities appropriate responses pathophysiologic states require only one ligand be recognized by its cognate receptor, this “one ligand–one receptor” notion is now in need extensive revision. This Perspective series focuses on several striking examples multiligand receptors, molecules interact specifically classes structurally related ligands even functionally dissimilar ligands. Such broad specificity raises intriguing problems for biological regulation do not arise classical, monospecific receptors. From vantage point economy host gene expression, expeditious have a single protein subserve multiple roles, reason, some authors speculated these proteins arose early molecular evolution. However, various functions are probably subject precise avoid possibility range stimuli all activate cellular response, which might disastrous consequences cell’s ability adapt environmental challenges. How make sense types receptor-ligand interactions? What basic principles emerged from study?