Nigericin is a microbial toxin derived from the Gram-positive bacteria Streptomyces hygroscopicus. It induces the release of IL-1β in response to the activation of the NLRP3 (also known as NALP3 or cryopyrin) inflammasome [1]. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a caspase‑1-activating complex comprising the NLR protein NLRP3 and the adaptor ASC required for the maturation and secretion of IL-1β [2].
Nigericin acts as a potassium ionophore. It probably activates NLRP3 through its ionophore function which allows the intracellular K+ efflux across the membrane [3]. Whether the formation of non‑selective pannexin-1 pores also contributes to NLRP3 activation upon Nigericin treatment remains unclear [4]
Key features of Nigericin:
- Inducer of the NLRP3 inflammasome
- Potassium ionophore
- Each lot is functionally tested
Read our review on the NLRP3 inflammasome.
Download our Practical guide on Inflammasomes.
References:
- Mariathasan S. et al., 2006. Cryopyrin activates the inflammasome and ATP. Nature 440;228-32.
- Martinon F. & Tschopp J., 2004. Inflammatory caspases: linking an intracellular innate immune system to autoinflammatory diseases. Cell. 117(5):561-74.
- Muñoz-Planillo R. et al., 2013. K+ efflux is the common trigger of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by bacterial toxins and particulate matter. Immunity. 38(6):1142-53..
- Pelegrin P, & Surprenant A., 2007. Pannexin-1 couples to maitotoxin- and nigericin-induced interleukin-1beta release through a dye uptake-independent pathway. J Biol Chem. 282(4):2386-94.
