NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NALP3), also known as cryopyrin, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NLRP3gene[1] located on the long arm of chromosome 1.[2]
NALP3 is expressed predominantly in macrophages and as a component of the inflammasome,[3][4]:436 detects products of damaged cells such as extracellular ATP and crystalline uric acid. Activated NALP3 in turn triggers an immune response. Mutations in the NLRP3 gene are associated with a number of organ specific autoimmune diseases.
NACHT, LRR, and PYD are respectively acronyms for:
NACHT – NAIP (neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein), C2TA [class 2 transcription activator, of the MHC, HET-E (heterokaryon incompatibility) and TP1 (telomerase-associated protein 1)
LRR – "leucine-rich repeat" [5][6] and is synonymous with NLR, for or nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat"[7]
PYD – "PYRIN domain," after the pyrin proteins[8] The NLRP3 gene name abbreviates "NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3," where NLR refers to "nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat."[9]
The NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 is also called:
cold induced autoinflammatory syndrome 1 (CIAS1),
caterpiller-like receptor 1.1 (CLR1.1), and
PYRIN-containing APAF1-like protein 1 (PYPAF1).[10]
Structure
This gene encodes a pyrin-like protein which contains a pyrin domain, a nucleotide-binding site (NBS) domain, and a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) motif. This protein interacts with pyrin domain (PYD) of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC). Proteins which contain the caspase recruitment domain, CARD, have been shown to be involved in inflammation and immune response.[1]
Function
NALP3 is a component of the innate immune system that functions as a pathogen recognition receptor (PRR) that recognizes pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs).[11] NALP3 belongs to the NOD-like receptor (NLR) subfamily of PRRs and NALP3 together with the adaptor ASC protein PYCARD forms a caspase-1 activating complex known as the NALP3 inflammasome. NALP3 in the absence of activating signal is kept in an inactive state complexed with HSP90 and SGT1 in the cytoplasm. NALP3 inflammasome detects danger signals such as crystalline uric acid and extracellular ATP released by damaged cells. These signals release HSP90 and SGT1 from and recruit ASC protein and caspase-1 to the inflammasome complex. Caspase-1 within the activated NALP3 inflammasome complex in turn activates the inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β.[11]
The NALP3 inflammasome appears to be activated by changes in intracellular potassium caused by potassium efflux from mechanosensitive ion channels located in the cell membrane.[12] It appears that NALP3 is also regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), though the precise mechanisms of such regulation has not been determined.[13]
Deregulation of NALP3 has been connected with carcinogenesis. For example, all the components of the NALP3 inflammasome are downregulated or completely lost in human hepatocellular carcinoma.[21]
↑Tao JH, Zhang Y, Li XP (Dec 2013). "P2X7R: a potential key regulator of acute gouty arthritis". review. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 43 (3): 376–80. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2013.04.007. PMID23786870.
↑Lu A, Wu H (Feb 2015). "Structural mechanisms of inflammasome assembly". review. The FEBS Journal. 282 (3): 435–44. doi:10.1111/febs.13133. PMID25354325.
↑Koonin EV, Aravind L (May 2000). "The NACHT family - a new group of predicted NTPases implicated in apoptosis and MHC transcription activation". Trends in Biochemical Sciences. 25 (5): 223–4. doi:10.1016/S0968-0004(00)01577-2. PMID10782090.
↑Pueyo I, Jiménez JR, Hernández J, Brugarolas A, García-Morán M, García-Muñiz JL, Arroyo F (Sep 1978). "Carcinoid syndrome treated by hepatic embolization". AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology. 131 (3): 511–3. doi:10.2214/ajr.131.3.511. PMID99001.
↑Bertin J, DiStefano PS (Dec 2000). "The PYRIN domain: a novel motif found in apoptosis and inflammation proteins". review. Cell Death and Differentiation. 7 (12): 1273–4. doi:10.1038/sj.cdd.4400774. PMID11270363.
↑Shi F, Kouadir M, Yang Y (Aug 2015). "NALP3 inflammasome activation in protein misfolding diseases". review. Life Sciences. 135: 9–14. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2015.05.011. PMID26037399.
↑Wei Q, Mu K, Li T, Zhang Y, Yang Z, Jia X, Zhao W, Huai W, Guo P, Han L (Jan 2014). "Deregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in hepatic parenchymal cells during liver cancer progression". Laboratory Investigation. 94 (1): 52–62. doi:10.1038/labinvest.2013.126. PMID24166187.