pyhin 4

AIM2, Absent In Melanoma 2 is a member of the interferon-inducible HIN-200 protein family that contains an amino-terminal pyrin domain and a carboxy-terminal oligonucleotide oligosaccharide-binding domain, senses cytoplasmic DNA by means of its oligonucleotide oligosaccharide-binding domain and interacts with ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD) through its pyrin domain to activate caspase-1. In response to foreign cytoplasmic DNA, AIM2 forms an inflammasome, resulting in caspase activation in inflammatory cells. It had been pointed to a role of AIM2 function in both inflammation and cancer. AIM-2 antigen is expressed in a wide variety of tumor types, including neuroectodermal tumors, as well as breast, ovarian and colon carcinomas. AIM-2 could be used as a tumor antigen target for monitoring vaccine trials or to develop antigen specific active immunotherapy for glioma patients.