AIM2

Interferon-inducible protein AIM2 also known as absent in melanoma 2 or simply AIM2 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the AIM2 is_associated_with::gene. Recent research has shown that AIM2 is part of the is_associated_with::inflammasome and contributes to the defence against bacterial and viral is_associated_with::DNA.

Structure
AIM2 is a 343 amino acid protein with a N-terminal DAPIN (or pyrin) domain (amino acids 1-87) and a C-terminal HIN-200 domain (amino acids 138-337), which is known to have two oligonucleotide-binding folds.

Function
AIM2 is a member of the is_associated_with::Ifi202/is_associated_with::IFI16 family. It plays a putative role in tumorigenic reversion and may control cell proliferation. is_associated_with::Interferon-gamma induces expression of AIM2.

Though there has been virtually no biochemistry performed, a model based on cell-based or in vivo experiments has led to the current model of how AIM2 triggers the inflammasome. The C-terminal HIN domain binds double stranded is_associated_with::DNA (either viral, bacterial, or even host) and acts as a cytosolic dsDNA sensor. This leads to the oligomerization of the inflammasome complex. The N-terminal pyrin domain of AIM2 interacts with the pyrin domain of another protein ASC (or Apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a caspase activation and recruitment domain). ASC also contains a is_associated_with::CARD domain (caspase activation and recruitment domain), that recruits procaspase-1 to the complex. This leads to the autoactivation of caspase-1, an enzyme that processes proinflammatory is_associated_with::cytokines (IL-1b and IL-18).

Clinical relevance
Elevated levels of AIM2 expression are found in skin cells from people with is_associated_with::psoriasis.