Host cell surface receptor

A host cell surface receptor is a general term for a large and heterogeneous group of membrane proteins located on the plasma membrane of host cells that bind external ligands—including hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors, and pathogens—to initiate intracellular signaling or facilitate pathogen entry[1][4][5]. They are essential for cell signaling, homeostasis, immune recognition, and are frequently exploited as entry points by viruses and other pathogens[2][4][7]. Major classes include G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), ion channel receptors, and enzyme-linked receptors such as receptor tyrosine kinases[1][5][8][9]. Therapeutically, individual cell surface receptors—rather than the entire group—are targeted in disease treatment, immune modulation, and antiviral strategies[7]. The term “host cell surface receptor” is not specific to any single gene or protein, but rather encompasses a vast array of distinct receptors, each with different biological roles and disease associations. Therefore, more granular specificity (e.g., “Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor,” “Epidermal growth factor receptor”) is generally required to provide drug, biomarker, or mechanism information for clinical or research purposes[1][2][4][7].

Other names

cell-surface receptorplasma membrane receptorsurface receptortransmembrane receptor

ligand binding, signal transduction, viral attachment and entry