Human PYD And CARD Domain Containing (PYCARD) Protein

Background

PYD and CARD domain containing (PYCARD), also known as ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD), is a bipartite adaptor protein involved in innate immunity and inflammation PYCARD contains both a PYRIN domain (PYD) and a caspase recruitment domain (CARD), which facilitate its interaction with inflammasome components such as NLRP3 and caspase-1 PYCARD is essential for inflammasome assembly, leading to the activation of caspase-1, which processes pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and induces pyroptosis, a form of inflammatory cell death Dysregulation of PYCARD has been implicated in inflammatory diseases such as gout, where it activates inflammasomes in response to uric acid crystals, and in autoimmune disorders including lupus PYCARD is also involved in apoptosis, interacting with pro-apoptotic factors to regulate programmed cell death Its overactivation or suppression has been associated with cancer, neuroinflammation, and metabolic diseases, highlighting its critical role in balancing inflammation and cell survival