Fig. 1. NLRP3 inflammasome structure .

NLRP3 inflammasome is a protein complex composing of ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain), pro-caspase-1, and NLRP3 protein. NLRP3 protein recruits ASC through the interaction of N-terminal PYD-PYD. ASC connects NLRP3 protein with pro-caspase-1 through PYD-PYD and CARD-CARD to form a pro-caspase-1 tetramer, which provides caspase 1 with enzyme cutting activity. LRR, leucine-rich repeat. NACHT/NOD, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain.