Mottagarcellen

Mottagarcellen is a term used in Swedish biology to denote a recipient or target cell—i.e., a cell that receives material, signals, or genetic information from another cell. The concept is used across several fields.

In cell signaling and immunology, mottagarcellen expresses specific receptors for ligands released by signaling cells. Ligand binding activates intracellular signaling cascades that can alter gene expression, metabolism, or cellular behavior.

In virology and genetic transfer, the mottagarcellen is the host or recipient cell that an agent interacts with or to which DNA is transferred. For viral infection, the virus attaches to receptors on the mottagarcellen surface, enters, and uses the cell machinery for replication. In methods such as bacterial conjugation or transduction, a donor cell transfers DNA to a mottagarcellen, resulting in genetic modification.

In developmental biology or tissue signaling, mottagarcellen receives morphogenic or paracrine signals that influence differentiation and tissue patterning.

The term highlights the directional aspect of cellular interactions, distinguishing the recipient from the donor or signaling cell. See also receptor cell, target cell, host cell.