DDX3X: Taking the stress out on the NLRP3 inflammasome

Abstract

Stress granules and inflammasomes are intracellular complexes that assemble in response to cellular stress signals, enabling cells to persist and perish, respectively. In a recent study published in Nature, Samir et al. identify the helicase DDX3X as a central decision maker in the formation of pro-survival stress granules or pro-death NLRP3 inflammasomes.