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Pyroptosis, a Lytic Cell Death Coordinating Host Defense and Inflammation
Dianna Bowles Lecture Theatre, B/K/018, Biology Building, Campus West, University of York (Map)
Event details
Please note adjusted time for seminar, 11am-12pm
Abstract
Pyroptosis is a lytic form of programmed cell death that was first identified as a consequence of inflammatory caspase activation by inflammasome complexes. These signaling platforms are assembled by pattern recognition receptors, such as members of the NLR family, in response to infection, cellular damage, or other noxious stimuli. Mechanistically, pyroptosis requires cleavage of the caspase substrate gasdermin D (GSDMD), releasing its N-terminal fragment, which inserts into the plasma membrane to form large β-barrel pores capable of releasing IL-1 family cytokines and driving cell death. More recently, GSDMD-mediated membrane rupture has been shown to be an active process that depends on the plasma membrane-disrupting activity of the protein ninjurin-1 (NINJ1). Here, I will discuss emerging insights into how orphan NLR receptors regulate pyroptosis during infection, and the mechanisms underlying NINJ1-driven cell lysis.
About the speaker
Professor Petr Broz
Petr received his PhD in Microbiology in 2006 from the University of Basel working on the structure of bacterial type 3 secretion systems with Guy R. Cornelis. After working in immunology research for CSL Behring, he joined the laboratory of Denise Monack at Stanford University in 2008, where he started to work inflammasome complexes in the context of bacterial infections. He returned to Basel as an SNSF Assistant Professor in 2013, investigating links between cell-autonomous immunity and inflammasome activation. He joined the Department of Immunobiology (formerly Biochemistry) as an Associate Professor in October 2017 and he became Full Professor in February 2022. His current research focuses on host defense mechanisms, inflammasomes and the induction of pyroptosis, a lytic, inflammatory cell death.
Venue details
Wheelchair accessible
Hearing loop