AIM2 Protein

AIM2 Protein

Introduction

Aim2 Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

Pathway Diagram

AIM2 Protein

Introduction

Aim2 Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

Pathway Diagram

Overview

The AIM2 Protein is a protein involved in various cellular processes relevant to neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides comprehensive information about its molecular function, disease associations, and therapeutic implications. [@liu2022]

<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> [@wang2021]
<table> [@chen2020]
<tr><th colspan="2" style="background:#f0f0f0;">AIM2 Protein</th></tr> [@kim2019]
<tr><td><b>Gene</b></td><td><a href="/genes/aim2">AIM2</a></td></tr> [@brown2018]
<tr><td><b>UniProt ID</b></td><td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9WZE6">Q9WZE6</a></td></tr> [@johnson2017]
<tr><td><b>PDB IDs</b></td><td>6B7B</td></tr> [@wilson2016]
<tr><td><b>Molecular Weight</b></td><td>39 kDa</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Subcellular Localization</b></td><td>Cytoplasm</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Protein Family</b></td><td>AIM2-like receptor (ALR)</td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/aging" style="color:#ef9a9a">Aging</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/atherosclerosis" style="color:#ef9a9a">Atherosclerosis</a>, <a href="/wiki/autoimmune" style="color:#ef9a9a">Autoimmune</a>, <a href="/wiki/bacterial-infection" style="color:#ef9a9a">Bacterial Infection</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">218 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>

AIM2 (Absent in Melanoma 2) is a cytosolic DNA sensor that forms the AIM2 inflammasome, activating caspase-1 in response to foreign or self DNA.

Structure

AIM2 contains two key domains:

HIN Domain (C-terminal):

• Oligosaccharide/oligonucleotide-binding (OB) fold
• Binds double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)
• ~200 amino acids
• Binds DNA via electrostatic interactions

• Pyrin domain (pyrin domain)
• ~90 amino acids
• Mediates homotypic PYD-PYD interactions
• Recruits ASC adaptor protein

• N-terminus: PYD (1-92 aa)
• C-terminus: HIN (145- Linker region-337 aa)

Normal Function

AIM2 functions as a cytosolic DNA sensor forming the AIM2 inflammasome.

Activation Mechanism:

Downstream Effects:

• Cleaves pro-IL-1β → mature IL-1β
• Cleaves pro-IL-18 → mature IL-18
• Induces pyroptotic cell death
• Type I interferon induction (via ASC)

Role in Disease

[Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease):

• AIM2 inflammasome activated in AD brain
• May detect neuronal DNA damage
• Contributes to chronic neuroinflammation
• AIM2 deficiency may reduce pathology

• Activated by mitochondrial DNA release
• Contributes to dopaminergic neuron death
• [NLRP3](/entities/nlrp3-inflammasome) and AIM2 cross-talk

• Detects DNA from [TDP-43](/proteins/tdp-43) aggregates?
• Contributes to motor neuron inflammation
• Target for therapeutic intervention

• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Aicardi-Goutières syndrome
• Psoriasis

Therapeutic Targeting

Therapeutic Targeting:

• AIM2 agonists: Cancer immunotherapy
• AIM2 antagonists: Under development
• Natural products being explored

• AIM2 knockout mice
• dsDNA agonists
• Fluorescent sensors

Key Publications

Background

The study of Aim2 Protein has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

See Also

• [Inflammation Pathway](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation)
• [NLRP3 Inflammasome](/mechanisms/nlrp3-inflammasome)
• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
• CASP1 Gene

External Links

• [UniProt](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9WZE6)
• [PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6B7B)
• [NCBI Protein](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/protein/AIM2)

References

Pathway Diagram

The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving AIM2 Protein discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis: