Studies show RIPK1 inhibitors have potential therapeutic effects particularly in diseases with atypical tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) signaling (Finger et al, 2017). In necroptosis, the necrosome, a complex of multiple proteins, recruits mixed kinase domain like protein (MLKL), rupturing the cell membrane. RIPK1 has a hand in initiating this. When TNF binds to its receptor, proteins including RIPK1 form TNFR-1 complex I (Mason et al, 2017). Eventually, the signaling pathway requires RIPK1 and RIPK3 to autophosphorylate each other; forming the necrosome.
A team of scientists found that specifically inactivating RIPK1 was superior to eliminating kidney ischemia–reperfusion injury, systemic inflammation compared to the loss of MLKL (Newton et al, 2016). It’s not only inflammatory diseases, but other diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) could benefit from RIPK1 inhibitors. An overabundance of the protein has been found in patients with AD (Mason et al, 2017).
The Transcreener ADP RIPK1 Assay is an excellent tool for researchers examining the therapeutic effects of RIPK1.