NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 14 (NLRP14)

NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 14 (NLRP14) is an intracellular, testis-specific member of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family, distinguished by a tripartite architecture with a pyrin domain (PYD) at the N-terminus, a central NACHT oligomerization domain, and a C-terminal leucine-rich repeat (LRR) region[1][3]. NLRP14 plays a significant role in the regulation of cytosolic nucleic acid sensing pathways in germ cells by physically interacting with downstream signaling molecules such as STING, TBK1, MAVS, and RIG-I, thereby negatively modulating the production of type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines through TBK1 ubiquitination and degradation[2]. This function suggests that NLRP14 acts as an immunoregulatory safeguard to prevent inappropriate activation of innate immune pathways in germ cells, enabling tissue-specific immune privilege required for successful fertilization and early development[2][3]. Variants in NLRP14 have been linked to spermatogenesis defects and infertility in mammals[3]. NLRP14 is not known to be a therapeutic drug target, and there are no drugs or well-validated biomarkers directly associated with it at this time.

Other names

NALP14NOD5GC-LRRNalp-iotaPAN8CLR11.2NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 14nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain protein 5