Nod2 is a member of a protein family of apoptosis regulators which includes Apaf-1 and Nod1/CARD4.1 Nod2 contains two N-terminal caspase recruitment domains (CARDs), a nucleotide binding domain (NBD) and C-terminal leucine rich repeats (LRRs). Nod1/CARD4 is broadly expressed in tissues; however, Nod2 expression is limited to monocytes.1,2 Both Nod1 and Nod2 activate NF-kB and act as intracellular receptors for bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS).2,3,4,5 The LRRs of both Nod1 and Nod2 are essential for LPS-induced activation of NF-kB.4 A frameshift mutation in the NOD2 gene confers susceptibility to Crohn’s disease, possibly by causing truncation of the 10th LRR resulting in a protein that is unresponsive to LPS.6,7WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.
