European Mast Cell and
Basophil Research Network

Month: October 2012

Type I high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI)

General Description The high affinity Immunoglobulin E receptor (FcεRI) is a tetrameric membrane protein complex (Fig. 1) expressed on mast cells and basophils (1), which belongs to the family of immunoreceptors involved in antigen recognition (2). It is composed of one α subunit containing one

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Transmembrane adaptor proteins in mast cells

Transmembrane adaptor proteins (TRAPs) facilitate activation within signal transduction pathways but lack both intrinsic enzymatic and transcriptional activities. They are characterized by a short extracellular domain, a single transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic tail with various motifs serving as anchors for cytoplasmic signaling molecules. TRAPs

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The role of mast cells in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Leishmania is an important cutaneous pathogen and more than 12 million people worldwide are currently infected. Almost 60,000 individuals die of complications associated with leishmaniasis and 2 million new infections are reported every year. In humans, different disease forms develop depending on the parasite strain.

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KIT Receptor (CD117, SCF receptor, Mast Cell Growth Factor)

General Description and Physiological Function KIT is a transmembrane receptor, member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family and structurally related to the PDGF, CSF-1 (M-CSF) and FLT3 receptors. It is encoded by the c-kit gene, the cellular homolog of v-kit Hardy-Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral

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STIM1 in mast cell signaling

STIM1 signaling pathway The stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is a protein embedded predominantly in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane via its transmembrane domain. It is a key regulator of calcium release activated calcium (CRAC) channel responsible for store operated calcium entry (SOCE) formerly known as

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Mast cells, hormones and pregnancy

In mammals, the successful implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium and the subsequent development of a decidual cell response involve many interactions between the mother and the conceptus [1]. Uterine-derived histamine has long been suspected as a key regulator in implantation due to its

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Mast cells activating receptors

General description Mast cells (MC) are best known for their crucial role in the allergic response, but their strategic location and richness of pre-stored and newly synthesized mediators have clearly demonstrated their significance also in innate and adaptive immune responses, inflammation, and tissue remodeling. MC

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Mast cell inhibitory receptors

Mast cells receptors – general description Mast cells (MC) are key effector cells in allergic inflammation (AI) but are also involved in regulating fibrosis, in tissue responses to neoplastic diseases, in autoimmune diseases and in host‑defense against bacterial and parasitic infections [1]. In allergy, the

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Mast cell Fcγ receptors (FcγR) for IgG

General Description Besides the high affinity IgE receptor mast cells (MC) also express Fcγ receptors (FcγR) (1). However, other receptors for immunoglobulin isotypes such as FcaRI, FcdRI and Fca/mR are not found to be expressed on MC. FcγR exist in multiple isoforms categorized, either in

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Cytoplasmic adaptor proteins (CAPS) in mast cell signaling

What are adaptor proteins? Proteins with no enzymatic activity that mediate intermolecular interactions through motifs* and /or domains** and are essential in organizing, coordinating and compartmentalizing activated signaling molecules.*Motif: short sequence of aminoacids**Domain: conserved part of a given protein sequence and structure that can evolve,

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