Receptors
Cells respond to external signals in a variety of
complex ways. Hormones and small molecules outside the cell can
directly interact with proteins (receptors) anchored to the outer
surface of cells, thereby triggering processes inside cells that result
in differentiation, growth, ageing and death. The action of some
proteases on proteins (receptors) anchored to the outer surface of
cells are now thought to be important in immune defence, cancer,
inflammation, asthma and allergy. Dust mites for example are known to
secrete proteases that cause inflammation and asthma, remodelling
proteins on cell surfaces in the airways. Other proteases are known to
cut proteins (receptors) anchored to the inner surface of cell
membranes releasing new signalling proteins inside the cell. Just how
proteases exert all their function in man is still uncertain, and it is
likely that many more classes of protease receptors remain to be
discovered.
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Dustmites linked with asthma.
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