Real-time imaging and dynamics of single-particle assemblies formed by the AIM2 inflammasome sensor on individual DNA molecules

Abstract

Cells have developed fundamental mechanisms to sense and react upon foreign substances that indicate the presence of danger. For instance, pathogenic DNA molecules are detected by DNA-sensing proteins that alert the cell, thus enabling preparation for defense. Inflammasomes are large intracellular protein complexes that trigger the inflammatory response as a result of danger signals. Inflammasomes assemble by self-association and oligomerization of multiple copies of three proteins: sensors that respond to danger signals, procaspase-1, which activates cytokines to amplify the inflammatory response, and the adaptor ASC that holds the macromolecular assembly by tethering sensor and procaspase-1 molecules.