Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Identification of Post-translational Modifications of Plant Protein Complexes
Published on: February 22, 2014
A peptidoglycan recognition protein in innate immunity conserved from insects to humans
1Department of Microbiology, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Innate nonself recognition must rely on common structures of invading microbes. In a differential display screen for up-regulated immune genes in the moth Trichoplusia ni we have found mechanisms for recognition of bacterial cell wall fragments. One bacteria-induced gene encodes a protein that, after expression in the baculovirus system, was shown to be a peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP). It binds strongly to Gram-positive bacteria. We have also cloned the corresponding cDNA from mouse and human and shown this gene to be expressed in a variety of organs, notably organs of the immune system-i.e., bone marrow and spleen. In addition, purified recombinant murine PGRP was shown to possess peptidoglycan affinity. From our results and the sequence homology, we conclude that PGRP is a ubiquitous protein involved in innate immunity, conserved from insects to humans.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
CRISPR and crRNAs
The CRISPR-Cas system stores a copy of foreign DNA in the host genome and uses it to identify the foreign DNA upon reinfection. CRISPR-Cas has three different...
Antimicrobial Proteins
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
Peptidoglycan Synthesis
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides
The Antiviral System of Bacteria and Archaea: CRISPR
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

