Cytokine Receptors and Their Signaling

Cytokine receptors are cell surface and intracellular proteins that recognize, bind and respond to a variety of cytokines - small signaling molecules released by cells in response to a stimulus. They play a crucial role in the regulation of cell behavior by transducing the signal from an extracellular cytokine to an intracellular signal, thereby triggering a cascade of responses. Cytokine receptors are involved in tissue repair, immune responses, and development. Malfunctioning or mutations of cytokine receptors can lead to a wide range of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases.