Digital signaling network drives the assembly of the AIM2- ASC inflammasome

Mariusz Matyszewski, Seamus R. Morrone, Jungsan Sohn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

The AIM2- ASC inflammasome is a filamentous signaling platform essential for mounting host defense against cytoplasmic dsDNA arising not only from invading pathogens but also from damaged organelles. Currently, the design principles of its underlying signaling network remain poorly understood at the molecular level. We show here that longer dsDNA is more effective in inducing AIM2 assembly, its self-propagation, and downstream ASC polymerization. This observation is related to the increased probability of forming the base of AIM2 filaments, and indicates that the assembly discerns small dsDNA as noise at each signaling step. Filaments assembled by receptor AIM2, downstream ASC, and their joint complex all persist regardless of dsDNA, consequently generating sustained signal amplification and hysteresis. Furthermore, multiple positive feedback loops reinforce the assembly, as AIM2 and ASC filaments accelerate the assembly of nascent AIM2 with or without dsDNA. Together with a quantitative model of the assembly, our results indicate that an ultrasensitive digital circuit drives the assembly of the AIM2- ASC inflammasome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E1963-E1972
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume115
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 27 2018

Keywords

  • Digital circuit
  • Inflammasome
  • Innate immunity
  • Signaling network

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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