The NLRP1 Inflammasome: New Mechanistic Insights and Unresolved Mysteries

Overview

Journal Curr Opin Immunol

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2019 May 24

PMID 31121538

Citations 104

Authors

Patrick S Mitchell

Andrew Sandstrom

Russell E Vance

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins constitute a diverse class of innate immune sensors that detect pathogens or stress-associated stimuli in plants and animals. Some NLRs are activated upon direct binding to pathogen-derived ligands. In contrast, we focus here on a vertebrate NLR called NLRP1 that responds to the enzymatic activities of pathogen effectors. We discuss a newly proposed 'functional degradation' mechanism that explains activation and assembly of NLRP1 into an oligomeric complex called an inflammasome. We also discuss how NLRP1 is activated by non-pathogen-associated triggers such as the anti-cancer drug Val-boroPro, or by human disease-associated mutations. Finally, we discuss how research on NLRP1 has led to additional biological insights, including the unexpected discovery of a new CARD8 inflammasome.

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