TLR6 Gene: Function, Expression, and Clinical Significance | Innate Immunity

TLR6 (Toll Like Receptor 6) is a member of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, which plays a fundamental role in pathogen recognition and activation of innate immunity. TLR6 forms heterodimers with TLR2 to recognize diacylated lipopeptides from Gram-positive bacteria and mycoplasma, triggering downstream signaling pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK. The gene is located on chromosome 4p14 and encodes a protein of 796 amino acids. TLR6 is expressed predominantly in monocytes, macrophages, and B cells, and is involved in inflammatory responses and host defense.

Tissue Expression

Cell Line Expression

Hotspot Mutations

Mutation functional classification

• Toll-like receptor signaling pathway (KEGG: hsa04620)

• MyD88-dependent cascade (Reactome: R-HSA-166058)

• NF-κB activation (Reactome: R-HSA-168164)

TLR6 is a type I transmembrane protein with an extracellular leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain responsible for ligand recognition and a cytoplasmic Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain that initiates signaling. It forms functional heterodimers with TLR2 to detect diacylated lipopeptides from bacteria and mycoplasma. Upon ligand binding, the TLR2/6 complex recruits adaptor proteins such as MyD88, leading to activation of NF-κB and MAP kinases, which induce pro-inflammatory cytokines. TLR6 is expressed on the cell surface and in endosomes, and its expression is regulated by microbial stimuli and inflammatory mediators.