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Recognition of Protein Structure in Leukocyte Chemotaxis

Nature volume 244, pages 512–513 (1973)Cite this article

Abstract

RECOGNITION of antigen in the specific immune response is well understood. Recognition of foreign or altered self material by the cells which mediate non-specific immunity has received little attention. In tissue injury or bacterial infections, many proteins may become enzymatically degraded or conformationally altered. Here I report a study of the chemotactic migration of neutrophil leukocytes towards the model proteins, haemoglobin and myoglobin, in their native and haem-free conformationally altered forms, and show that conformational changes in these proteins are recognized by leukocytes and evoke a chemotactic response, although the native proteins are inactive. A model for the molecular basis of this recognition is proposed.

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  1. Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow

    P. C. WILKINSON

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  1. P. C. WILKINSON
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WILKINSON, P. Recognition of Protein Structure in Leukocyte Chemotaxis. Nature 244, 512–513 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/244512a0

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