Dependence Receptors: What Is the Mechanism?

Moses V. Chao^*

Molecular Neurobiology Program, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Departments of Cell Biology, Physiology and Neuroscience, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.

Abstract: Receptors of diverse primary structure and with diverse ligands have been reported to be capable of stimulating apoptosis in the absence of ligand binding. These receptors are called dependence receptors, and the newest member of this family appears to be the Sonic hedgehog receptor Patched, which has been reported to stimulate apoptosis when expressed in the absence of its ligand. The signaling mechanisms that account for this type of receptor activity are unknown. Several theories behind how dependence receptors may trigger cell death are described.

*Contact information. E-mail, chao{at}saturn.med.nyu.edu

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