Ka Yee Lee, University of Chicago
October 23, 2014
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Membrane Lipid-Protein Interactions in the Context of Immune Response
Abstract:
The cell membrane is in essence an integral lipid bilayer decorated by proteins and carbohydrates. It separates the interior of a cell from the exterior environment and serves as a permeable barrier by control over the passage of large molecules and ions in and out of the cell. Thus, lipid membrane integrity is essential for the function of the cell. Disrupting membrane structural integrity is a way by which our innate immune system carries out selective lytic activity against microbial pathogens. We will explore the disruption mechanism involved in this process. In addition, our immune system recognizes a vast array of chemical signatures as antigens, although historically most research has focused almost exclusively on protein/protein recognition. More recently it has been appreciated that lipids can also be a potent stimulus for an immune response, as with phosphatidylserine (PS) recognition in apoptotic cell clearance. We will discuss the molecular mechanisms by which a family of 3 unique PS receptors (Tim family) can directly recognize “out of context” components of the lipid membrane and how this recognition process then stimulates an appropriate immune response.
Date posted
Jun 17, 2019
Date updated
Jun 17, 2019