Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 10, 2025

Characterization of MLKL-mediated Plasma Membrane Rupture in Necroptosis
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Characterization of MLKL-mediated Plasma Membrane Rupture in Necroptosis

Published on: August 7, 2018

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NINJ1, rupturing swollen membranes for cataclysmic cell lysis

Yupeng Wang1, Feng Shao1

  • 1National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.

Molecular Cell
|April 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified NINJ1, a protein crucial for programmed cell death. NINJ1 triggers plasma membrane rupture, a process previously believed to be passive, offering new insights into cell death mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Programmed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental biological process.
  • The final stages of PCD, particularly plasma membrane integrity, are not fully understood.
  • Previous research suggested plasma membrane rupture during PCD was a passive event.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify molecular mediators of plasma membrane rupture during programmed cell death.
  • To investigate the mechanisms underlying the final stages of cell demise.

Main Methods:

  • Forward-genetic screening in macrophages from randomly mutagenized mice.
  • Analysis of cellular events following various forms of programmed cell death.

Main Results:

  • Identification of NINJ1 (Ninjurin 1) as a key mediator of plasma membrane rupture.
  • Demonstration that NINJ1 actively drives membrane rupture in multiple PCD pathways.
  • NINJ1's role challenges the notion of passive membrane disintegration.

Conclusions:

  • NINJ1 is a critical effector of plasma membrane rupture in programmed cell death.
  • This finding reveals an active, regulated mechanism in the terminal phase of cell death.
  • The discovery of NINJ1 opens new avenues for understanding and potentially manipulating cell death processes.

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