Critical role for the 3′UTR in the post-transcriptional regulation of the gene encoding the key inflammasome protein NLRP3

Abstract

IL-1β is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine and its production is tightly controlled by the inflammasomes. For example, the inflammasome that forms around the cytosolic receptor NLRP3 is regulated on many different levels. NLRP3 is triggered by an array of endogenous and exogenous cellular stresses and although the precise mechanism of activation is still little understood, a range of cellular signals, such as calcium signaling and reactive oxygen species, can influence the process. In addition, NLRP3 is regulated transcriptionally by the TLR pathway and by post-translational modifications such as nitrosylation and ubiquitination. We have found that NLRP3 is also post-transcriptionally regul..