coreceptorreceptor
A coreceptor is a cell surface molecule that assists a primary receptor in binding its ligand or in transducing a signal into the cell. In many biological systems, particularly in immunology, primary receptors rely on coreceptors to achieve high-affinity binding or to initiate a downstream signaling cascade. Without the coreceptor, the interaction between the primary receptor and its ligand may be weak or entirely absent, leading to a diminished or nonexistent cellular response.
One of the most well-studied examples of coreceptors is found in T cell activation. The T cell
Another significant role for coreceptors is seen in the binding of viruses to host cells. For instance,