Detection of ASC Oligomerization by Western Blotting

Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC) is an adaptor protein that is essential for the activation of several inflammasome complexes. Activation of inflammasomes leads to pathogenic clearance and inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis. Upon inflammasome activation, ASC oligomerization leads to the recruitment and activation of caspase-1, which in turn converts pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., pro-IL-1β, pro-IL-18) to their mature active form. Given its central role in inflammasome activation, ASC oligomerization is used as an indicator of inflammasome activation. Here we describe how ASC oligomerization can be detected by Western blotting.