Pyrin domain

A pyrin domain (PYD, also known as PAAD/DAPIN) is a protein domain and a subclass of protein motif known as the death fold, the 4th and most recently discovered member of the death domain superfamily (DDF). It was initially discovered in the pyrin protein, also known as marenostrin, which is encoded by MEFV. The mutation of the MEFV gene is the cause of the disease known as Familial Mediterranean Fever. The domain is encoded in 23 human proteins and at least 31 mouse genes.

Proteins containing a pyrin domain are frequently involved in programmed cell death processes, including pyroptosis and apoptosis. Proteins that possess a pyrin domain interact with the pyrin domains of other proteins to form multi-protein complexes called inflammasomes, triggering downstream immune responses.