Measuring NLR Oligomerization III: Detection of NLRP3 and NLRC4 Complex by Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer.

Bioluminescent resonance energy transfer (BRET) is a natural phenomenon resulting from a non-radiative energy transfer between a bioluminescent donor (Renilla luciferase) and a fluorescent protein acceptor. BRET signal is dependent on the distance and the orientation between the donor and the acceptor and could be used to study protein-protein interactions and conformational changes within proteins at real-time in living cells. This protocol describes the use of BRET technique to study NLRP3 oligomerization in living cells before and during NLRP3 inflammasome activation.