Co-receptor

Co-receptor

A Co-receptor (pronounced: koh-ree-sep-tor) is a cell surface receptor that works in tandem with a primary receptor to elicit a cellular response to a signal or stimulus.

Etymology

The term "Co-receptor" is derived from the Latin prefix 'co-', meaning 'together', and the word 'receptor', which refers to a protein molecule that receives chemical signals from outside a cell.

Function

Co-receptors are often involved in the immune response, where they play a crucial role in the activation of T cells and B cells. They can either enhance or inhibit the signal of the primary receptor. For example, CD4 and CD8 are co-receptors for the T cell receptor (TCR), enhancing its signal, while CTLA-4 and PD-1 are co-receptors that inhibit the TCR signal.

Types of Co-receptors

There are several types of co-receptors, including:

• Chemokine co-receptors, which are used by certain viruses, including HIV, to enter cells.
• Immunoglobulin superfamily members, which are involved in the immune response.
• G protein-coupled receptors, which are involved in a wide range of physiological processes.

Related Terms

• Receptor (biochemistry)
• Signal transduction
• Cell signaling
• Immune system
• T cell
• B cell
• CD4
• CD8
• CTLA-4
• PD-1
• Chemokine
• Immunoglobulin superfamily
• G protein-coupled receptor

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Co-receptor
• Wikipedia's article - Co-receptor

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