An enzyme receptor linkage sends messages between the powerhouses and the immune system. Scientists have found that the enzyme receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase-3 (RIPK3) has a role not previously envisaged: sending messages between the cells' mitochondria "powerhouses" and the immune system. It appears that the communication carried out by RIPK3 has two functions: first, to launch immune responses against tumors, and second, to regulate inflammatory responses that may result in autoimmune diseases. RIPK3 was already known to control the induction of necroptosis, which is a form of programmed cell death. Necroptosis protects the body from harmful mutations and infections.
However, its role in the immune system is only now coming to light. In order to better understand RIPK3, researchers studied RIPK3-deficient mice. RIPK3 regulates activity of killer T cells. They found…
