In comparison to the Drosophila Toll receptor, which binds endogenous ligands, functional analysis suggests direct binding of Toll like receptors (TLRs) of vertebrates to the microbial products during cellular detection of infection. We identified tri-lauroylated lipopeptide as species specific TLR2 agonist, thus implicating the direct binding between the lipopeptide and the extracellular domain of TLR2. Further analyses revealed the involvement of the low conserved subdomain of ecd TLR2 encompassing LRRs 7-10 in this process. Additionally, we studied the response of TLR2-/- mice to Listeria monocytogenes infection. There was no difference observed in bacterial burden in organs or in lethality between wild type and knockout mice. Serum cytokine levels at early time points after infection, however, were lower in knockout mice than in wild type mice.
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In comparison to the Drosophila Toll receptor, which binds endogenous ligands, functional analysis suggests direct binding of Toll like receptors (TLRs) of vertebrates to the microbial products during cellular detection of infection. We identified tri-lauroylated lipopeptide as species specific TLR2 agonist, thus implicating the direct binding between the lipopeptide and the extracellular domain of TLR2. Further analyses revealed the involvement of the low conserved subdomain of ecd TLR2 encompa...
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