Identification of a Conserved, Orphan G Protein-Coupled Receptor Required for Efficient Pathogen Clearance in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptors contribute to host defense across the animal kingdom, transducing many signals involved in both vertebrate and invertebrate immune responses. While it has become well established that the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans triggers innate immune responses following infection with numerous bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens, the mechanisms by which C. elegans recognizes these pathogens have remained somewhat more elusive.