Research OverviewStructural Immunology The mammalian immune system utilizes of a very large group of proteins for its function and regulation. Many of these proteins are part of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily. Some proteins are bound to cell membranes----for example, the T cell receptor, which helps to regulates cellular immune responses----while others consist of soluble proteins, such as many antibodies. Specific molecular recognition and binding between receptors and other immunological proteins and their (often diverse) targets are some of the major topics addressed by structural immunology. | Research Description
Research Area: Structural immunology Research Specialties: Structural Immunology, Structure-function studies of antigen-antibody reactions, T cell activation by superantigens, Molecular mimicry in multiple sclerosis, Recognition of MHC class II-restricted tumor antigens by CD4 + T cells, Structural basis of MHC class I recognition by NK receptors, Microbial recognition by innate immune receptors, Assembly and structure of T cell signaling complexes. Research in our laboratory is directed at understanding the molecular basis of ligand recognition by cell surface receptors of the immune system. Four classes of recognition molecules are under study antibodies, T cell receptors (TCRs), natural killer (NK) cell receptors, and peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs). In addition, we are examining the assembly and structure of T cell signaling complexes... Complete Information... |
Representative PublicationsL. Deng, R.J. Langley, P.H. Brown, G. Xu, L. Teng, Q. Wang, M.I. Gonzales, G.G. Callender, M.I. Nishimura, S.L. Topalian and R.A. Mariuzza. Structural basis for recognition of mutant self by a tumor-specific, MHC class II-restricted T cell receptor. Nature Immunol. 8, 398-408 (2007). S. Cho, Q. Wang, C.P. Swaminathan, D. Hesek, M. Lee, G.-J. Boons, S. Mobashery and R.A. Mariuzza. Structural insights into the bactericidal mechanism of human peptidoglycan recognition proteins. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104, 8761-8766 (2007). R. Guan and R.A. Mariuzza. Peptidoglycan recognition proteins of the innate immune system. Trends Microbiol. 15, 127-134 (2007).
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