Gao and co-workers (72) showed that infection by L. monocytogenes induced the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome through the Mst1/2-ALK pathways; as well as the participation of the interaction between Nek7 and NLRP3 via JNK that promoted the intensification of the host defense against Listeria infection by increasing the maturation and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. The gene discussed is NLRP3; the disease is infection.