Each issue, The Scientist publishes a review of some related papers highlighted by the Faculty of 1000, plus comments on new and notable research. For more information visit www.facultyof1000.com.
In Drosophila melanogaster, this system operates through two biochemical pathways: Toll, also present in mammals; and immune deficiency (IMD) pathway, similar to the mammalian tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-* receptor pathway. Over the past decade, biologists have described, in some detail, the Toll system, which combats Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. The IMD pathway, which targets Gram-negative bacteria, has remained sketchier.
A discovery reported in recent F1000-recommended papers should open up the IMD pathway to greater scrutiny. Based on independently conducted studies, the three papers describe a putative transmembrane receptor that recognizes Gram-negative bacteria.1-3 A member, by homology, of the family of 13 Drosophila peptidoglycan-recognition proteins (PGRPs), the newly identified protein is called PGRP-LC.
Ezekowitz, senior author of one paper, was seeking genes ...
