CATERPILLER family

CATERPILLER family

A popular term for a group of proteins with a nucleotide-binding domain and a leucine-rich region, which have an array of confirmed and putative roles in immunity, cell death and growth. CATERPILLER proteins are structurally similar to apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (APAF1), up- and downregulate immune and inflammatory responses, and might be intracellular sensors of pathogens.