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NOD-like receptors: versatile cytosolic sentinels
Vinicius Motta1, Fraser Soares1, Tian Sun1
1Departments of Immunology and of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Physiological Reviews
|December 26, 2014
Summary
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) are key innate immune sensors. This review details NLR functions, mechanisms, and disease-associated mutations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) are crucial cytoplasmic pattern-recognition receptors.
- NLRs, alongside RIG-I-like receptors, Toll-like receptors, and C-type lectins, form the innate immune system.
- Human and mouse genomes contain numerous NLRs, with invertebrates possessing even greater diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe NLR genes involved in various biological processes.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying NLR function.
- To discuss NLR gene mutations linked to human diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of NLR gene functions.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms of NLR activation and signaling.
- Compilation of data on NLR-associated human diseases.
Main Results:
- NLRs participate in diverse biological processes beyond pathogen recognition, including metabolism, inflammation, cell death, and adaptive immunity.
- NLR diversity arises from ligand-specific leucine-rich repeats and N-terminal effector domains.
- Specific NLR gene mutations are implicated in various human pathologies.
Conclusions:
- NLRs are versatile sensors with broad biological roles.
- Understanding NLR mechanisms is vital for comprehending immune responses and diseases.
- NLRs represent potential therapeutic targets for immune-related disorders.
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