Source: ImmunoDB
MLs: MD2-Like Receptors
Summary

Zhiyong Xi and George Dimopoulos 

Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe street, Baltimore, MD 21205-2179, USA 

The MD2-Like gene family (MLs) code putative secreted proteins containing a lipid recognition domain [Inohara & Nunez 2002]. MLs are essential for LPS mediated activation of TLR-4 signal transduction in mammals, and probably interact with other antigens as well through their lipid recognition domain [Fujihara et al. 2003; Fitzgerald et al. 2004]. All the essential sequence features that have been linked to LPS and TLR-4 interaction are conserved between the AgML1 and vertebrate MD2 genes [Dong et al. 2006]. Recent studies have indicated AgML1 as a specific anti-P. falciparum factor that is induced in the midgut by P. falciparum but not P. berghei infection [Dong et al. 2006]. AgML1 can also influence Ag resistance to bacteria infection and is therefore a likely broad spectrum pattern recognition receptor of the Ag innate immune system. Aa and Ag have 17 and 11 MLs gene family members, respectively, while Dm has only 8 members. The expansion of the mosquito gene family may indicate a specialized function in the defense against a blood meal ingested pathogen. Between the two mosquito species, this gene family shows quite significant diversity with only 4 orthologous pairs. 

Dong et al, 2006, PLoS Pathog. PMID:16789837 
Anopheles gambiae immune responses to human and rodent Plasmodium parasite species.