Anti-Asc (Tyr-144), Phosphospecific Antibody

Host- and pathogen-associated cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA triggers the activation of a NALP3-independent inflammasome, which activates caspase-1, leading to maturation of pro-interleukin-1beta and inflammation. Several studies have isolated AIM2 (absent in melanoma 2) as a candidate cytoplasmic-DNA-sensing protein that contains an N-terminal pyrin domain and C-terminal oligonucleotide binding domain. A screen for transcripts induced by interferon-beta identified AIM2 gene expression. AIM2 protein bound double-stranded DNA, recruited the inflammasome adaptor ASC, and localized to ASC containing speckles. AIM2 and ASC form a pyroptosome, which induces pyroptotic cell death mediated by caspase-1. Asc can be phosphorylated at Tyr-144 in a Syk and JNK-dependent manner. This phosphorylation is critical for Asc speck formation and Caspase-1 activation.