Signaling through the Drosophila Toll pathway is initiated when pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) bind to microbial products, such as bacterial peptidoglycan. Aspects of this pathway share similarity to the mammalian complement cascade as well as to the innate recognition system based on TLRs. One feature of Toll signaling that resembles the complement pathway is:
A) The activation of an extracellular proteolytic cascade involving cleavage of self-proteins
B) The deposition of Toll signaling proteins onto the microbial surface
C) The release of soluble fragments of Toll that induce inflammation
D) The assembly of a membrane attack complex in the microbial membrane following Toll activation
E) The presence of receptors for Toll cleavage products on phagocytic cells to promote pathogen ingestion

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The activation of an extracellular proteolytic cascade involving cleavage of self-proteins is a feature of both the Toll pathway in Drosophila and the complement cascade in mammals. In both cases, the initial recognition of pathogens leads to the activation of an enzymatic cascade that culminates in the deposition of proteins on the microbial surface to mark them for elimination.

Signaling Through the Drosophila Toll Pathway Is Initiated When Pathogen