LY96 gene

The LY96 gene (LY96 stands for lymphocyte antigen 96) is a protein-coding gene localized on chromosome 8q21.11. Alternative splicing results in several transcript variants that encode different isoforms.

The LY96 gene encodes a protein, myeloid differentiation protein-2 (MD2), which is associated with the Toll-like receptor 4 on the cell surface and causes a response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), thereby establishing a link between the receptor and LPS signaling.

MD2 binds bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (Kim HM et al. 2007). MD2 cooperates with TLR4 in the innate immune response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and with TLR2 in the response to cell wall components of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Dziarski R et al. 2001). Enhances TLR4-dependent activation of NF-kappa B cells expressing both LY96 and TLR4, but not TLR4 alone.

1. Dziarski R et al. (2001) MD-2 enables Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-mediated responses to lipopolysaccharide and enhances TLR2-mediated responses to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and their cell wall components. J Immunol 166:1938-1944.
2. Kim HM et al. (2007) Crystal structure of the TLR4-MD-2 complex with bound endotoxin antagonist Eritoran. Cell 130:906-917.
3. Pham K et al. (2022) Inflammatory gene expression during acute high-altitude exposure. J Physiol 600:4169-4186.
4. Shimazu R et al. (1999) MD-2, a molecule that confers lipopolysaccharide responsiveness on Toll-like receptor 4. J Exp Med 189:1777-1782.