Mouse Monoclonal PYCARD Antibody

The PYCARD antibody targets the protein PYCARD (PYD and CARD domain-containing protein), commonly known as ASC (Apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD). ASC is a critical adaptor molecule in inflammasome complexes, which are central to innate immune responses. It contains two distinct domains: an N-terminal pyrin domain (PYD) and a C-terminal caspase activation and recruitment domain (CARD). These domains facilitate protein-protein interactions, enabling ASC to bridge sensor proteins (e.g., NLRP3. AIM2) and effector caspases (e.g., caspase-1) during inflammasome assembly. Upon activation, ASC oligomerizes into large filamentous structures called "specks," promoting caspase-1 activation, which drives the maturation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18) and induces pyroptosis. Dysregulation of ASC is implicated in autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and cancer. PYCARD antibodies are essential tools for studying inflammasome dynamics, detecting ASC expression via techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, or immunohistochemistry, and exploring its role in disease pathogenesis. They also aid in evaluating therapeutic strategies targeting inflammasome pathways. Research using these antibodies has advanced understanding of ASC's dual role in promoting inflammation and regulating apoptosis, highlighting its therapeutic potential in immune-related disorders.