NALP7 Background Information
Most short NALPs, such as NALP7 (PYPAF3), have a C-terminal leucine-rich repeat (LRR) region, an N-terminal Pyrin (MEFV) domain (PYD) followed by a NACHT domain, and a NACHT-associated domain (NAD). NALP7, which de-monstrates expression in several tissues, including uterus and ovary, while showing low levels of expression in heart and brain tissues, inhibits CASP1/
caspase-1-dependent IL-1b secretion through a direct interaction with CASP1 and IL-1b. Defects in the NALP7 gene are known to cause the formation of a hydatidiform mole (HYDM), an abnormal human pregnancy with no embryo and cystic degeneration of placental villi. Knockdown of the NALP7 gene via RNA interference reduces the growth of carcinoma cell lines, leading to the conclusion that NALP7 may play a crucial role in cell proliferation. The NALP7 gene maps to chromosome 19q13.42, within a cluster of many other NALP genes.
