AIM2 - absent in melanoma 2

Function

Involved in innate immune response by recognizing cytosolic double-stranded DNA and inducing caspase-1-activating inflammasome formation in macrophages (PubMed:17726700, PubMed:19158675, PubMed:19158676, PubMed:19158679, PubMed:20566831). Upon binding to DNA is thought to undergo oligomerization and to associate with PYCARD initiating the recruitment of caspase-1 precursor and processing of interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-18 (PubMed:17726700, PubMed:19158675, PubMed:19158676, PubMed:19158679, PubMed:20566831). Detects cytosolic dsDNA of viral and bacterial origin in a non-sequence-specific manner (PubMed:17726700, PubMed:19158675, PubMed:19158676, PubMed:19158679, PubMed:20566831). Also acts as a mediator of pyroptosis, necroptosis and apoptosis (PANoptosis), an integral part of host defense against pathogens, in response to bacterial infection (By similarity). Can also trigger PYCARD-dependent, caspase-1-independent cell death that involves caspase-8 (By similarity). Tumor suppressor which may act by repressing NF-kappa-B transcriptional activity (PubMed:16432157).

Gene Regulons