The binding of ligands to TLR1 activates intracellular signaling cascades leading to an inflammatory response and initiation of immune processes.[5][9]
TLR1 cooperates with TLR2 in the recognition of bacterial triacyl lipoproteins. TLR1 has been shown to recognize the outer surface lipoprotein of Borrelia burgdorferi. The important role of TLR1 in recognizing triacyl lipopeptides has been shown in TLR1-deficient mice.[9][10]
Toll-like receptors, including TLR-1, found on the epithelial cell layer that lines the small and large intestine are important players in the management of the gut microbiota and detection of pathogens.[11]
TLR1 mRNA was expressed at high levels in the kidney, lung, and spleen in adult humans, but in low levels in fetal brain and liver as well as in HeLa cell line.[13]
TLR1 is a type I transmembraneglycoprotein composed of extracellular, transmembrane and intracellular domains.[5]
The extracellular domain of TLR1 contains leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains, which play a crucial role in binding PAMPs. The LRR domains can be further categorized into three subdomains: the N-terminal, central, and C-terminal regions. While the N-terminal and C-terminal domains of TLR1 exhibit relative consistency with a consensus amino acid structure represented as xLxxLxxLxLxxNxLxxLPxxxFx, the central domains display significant variability. Notably, the central domains of TLR1 lack the presence of stabilizing asparagine ladders, which contribute to the typical horseshoe-like shape of the extracellular domain of TLRs. Furthermore, the number of residues within the LRR domains of the central region varies between 20 and 33 residues. Additionally, extra alpha helices were found in central domains of TLR1. The biological function of TLR1 is closely linked to the structural modifications in its extracellular domain, which are responsible for its capacity to bind ligands.[15]
TLR1 is able to recognize ligands as a complex with TLR2, referred to as TLR2/1 heterodimer. TLR2 can heterodimerize also with TLR6 forming TLR2/6 heterodimer. TLR2/1 adopts an "m"-shaped conformation when interacted with its ligands. The "m" shape conformation is formed by extracellular domains of TLR1 and TLR2, bringing the transmembrane and intracellular domains in close association. This conformational arrangement subsequently triggers a downstream signaling cascade.[16][17]
TLR2/1 specifically recognizes triacyl lipopeptides, whereas TLR2/6 recognizes diacyl lipopeptides. Diacyl and triacyl lipopeptides are present on the bacterial outer membrane. In the case of triacyl lipopeptides, the mechanism behind their recognition lies in the incorporation of two lipid chains into the hydrophobic pocket of TLR2, while the remaining lipid chain inserts into a hydrophobic pocket of TLR1. Regarding TLR6, the hydrophobic pocket is obstructed by the side chains of two phenylalanine residues, resulting in a smaller pocket than in TLR1. This structural difference accounts for the distinct ligand specificities exhibited by TLR2/1 and TLR2/6 heterodimers.[17]
