Anti-AIM2 Antibody Picoband®

Interferon-inducible protein AIM2,   also known as  absent in melanoma 2  or simply  AIM2,   is a  protein  that in humans is encoded by the  AIM2  gene. It is mapped to 1q22. AIM2 is a member of the  Ifi202/IFI16  family. It plays a putative role in tumorigenic reversion and may control cell proliferation.  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 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  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  cytokines  (IL-1b  and  IL-18) .

Involved in innate immune response by recognizing cytosolic double-stranded DNA and inducing caspase-1-activating inflammasome formation in macrophages. Upon binding to DNA is thought to undergo oligomerization and to associate with PYCARD initiating the recruitment of caspase-1 precusrsor and processing of interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-18. Detects cytosolic dsDNA of viral and bacterial origin in a non-sequence-specific manner. Can also trigger PYCARD-dependent, caspase-1-independent cell death that involves caspase-8 (By similarity) . Tumor suppressor which may act by repressing NF-kappa-B transcriptional activity. .

1. DeYoung KL, Ray ME, Su YA, Anzick SL, Johnstone RW, Trapani JA, Meltzer PS, Trent JM (Aug 1997) . Cloning a novel member of the human interferon-inducible gene family associated with control of tumorigenicity in a model of human melanoma. Oncogene 15 (4) : 453–7. 2. Entrez Gene: AIM2 absent in melanoma 2. 3. Woerner SM, Kloor M, Schwitalle Y, Youmans H, von Knebel Doeberitz M, Gebert J, Dihlmann S (2007) . The putative tumor suppressor AIM2 is frequently affected by different genetic alterations in microsatellite unstable colon cancers. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 46 (12) : 1080–9.

Store at -20°C for one year from date of receipt. After reconstitution, at 4°C for one month. It can also be aliquotted and stored frozen at -20°C for six months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.