ASC/TMS1 (PYCARD) Antibody – Goat Polyclonal

This gene encodes an adaptor protein that is composed of two protein-protein interaction domains: a N-terminal PYRIN-PAAD-DAPIN domain (PYD) and a C-terminal caspase-recruitment domain (CARD). The PYD and CARD domains are members of the six-helix bundle death domain-fold superfamily that mediates assembly of large signaling complexes in the inflammatory and apoptotic signaling pathways via the activation of caspase. In normal cells, this protein is localized to the cytoplasm; however, in cells undergoing apoptosis, it forms ball-like aggregates near the nuclear periphery. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

PYCARD: Promotes caspase-mediated apoptosis. This proapoptotic activity is mediated predominantly through the activation of caspase-9. May be a component of the inflammasome, a protein complex which also includes NALP2, CARD8 and CASP1 and whose function would be the activation of proinflammatory caspases. Forms complexes with other DAPIN domain-containing proteins. Interacts with CIAS1/PYPAF1 and PYDC1. Widely expressed at low levels. Detected in peripheral blood leukocytes, lung, small intestine, spleen, thymus, colon and at lower levels in placenta, liver and kidney. Very low expression in skeletal muscle, heart and brain. Detected in the leukemia cell lines HL-60 and U-937, but not in Jurkat T- cell lymphoma and Daudi Burkitt's lymphoma. Detected in the melanoma cell line WM35, but not in WM793. Not detected in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells and MOLT-4 lymphocytic leukemia cells. 3 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Adaptor/scaffold; Tumor suppressor

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 16p11.2

Cellular Component: cytoplasm; cytosol; endoplasmic reticulum; IkappaB kinase complex; mitochondrion; nucleolus; nucleus

Molecular Function: caspase activator activity; enzyme binding; identical protein binding; interleukin-6 receptor binding; myosin I binding; protease binding; protein binding; protein homodimerization activity; Pyrin domain binding; tropomyosin binding

Biological Process: activation of innate immune response; activation of NF-kappaB transcription factor; apoptosis; caspase activation; defense response to Gram-negative bacterium; defense response to virus; DNA damage response, signal transduction by p53 class mediator resulting in induction of apoptosis; inflammatory response; inhibition of NF-kappaB transcription factor; innate immune response; myeloid dendritic cell activation; myeloid dendritic cell activation during immune response; negative regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB cascade; negative regulation of interferon-beta production; positive regulation of actin filament polymerization; positive regulation of activated T cell proliferation; positive regulation of adaptive immune response; positive regulation of antigen processing and presentation of peptide antigen via MHC class II; positive regulation of apoptosis; positive regulation of caspase activity; positive regulation of interferon-gamma production; positive regulation of interleukin-1 beta secretion; positive regulation of interleukin-6 production; positive regulation of JNK cascade; positive regulation of phagocytosis; positive regulation of T cell activation; positive regulation of transcription factor activity; positive regulation of tumor necrosis factor production; regulation of protein stability; signal transduction; tumor necrosis factor-mediated signaling pathway