Recognition of DHN-melanin by a C-type lectin receptor is required for immunity to Aspergillus

Recognition of DHN-melanin by a C-type lectin receptor is required for immunity to Aspergillus Nature 555, 7696 (2018). doi:10.1038/nature25974 Authors: Mark H. T. Stappers, Alexandra E. Clark, Vishukumar Aimanianda, Stefan Bidula, Delyth M. Reid, Patawee Asamaphan, Sarah E. Hardison, Ivy M. Dambuza, Isabel Valsecchi, Bernhard Kerscher, Anthony Plato, Carol A. Wallace, Raif Yuecel, Betty Hebecker, Maria da Glória Teixeira Sousa, Cristina Cunha, Yan Liu, Ten Feizi, Axel A. Brakhage, Kyung J. Kwon-Chung, Neil A. R. Gow, Matteo Zanda, Monica Piras, Chiara Zanato, Martin Jaeger, Mihai G. Netea, Frank L. van de Veerdonk, João F. Lacerda, António Campos, Agostinho Carvalho, Janet A. Willment, Jean-Paul Latgé & Gordon D. Brown Resistance to infection is critically dependent on the ability of pattern recognition receptors to recognize microbial invasion and induce protective immune responses. One such family of receptors are the C-type lectins, which are central to antifungal immunity. These receptors activate key effector mechanisms upon recognition of conserved fungal cell-wall carbohydrates. However, several other immunologically active fungal ligands have been described; these include melanin, for which the mechanism of recognition is hitherto undefined. Here we identify a C-type lectin receptor, melanin-sensing C-type lectin receptor (MelLec), that has an essential role in antifungal immunity through recognition of the naphthalene-diol unit of ...
Source: Nature - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Letter Source Type: research