Pore formation by GSDMD is the effector mechanism of pyroptosis.

Pyroptosis is a unique, pro‐inflammatory form of lytic cell death that is initiated by the activation of inflammatory caspases. The caspase substrate gasdermin D (GSDMD) plays a critical function in pyroptosis, yet the precise mode of action of this molecule in cell death execution remained unclear. Several recent reports, including a article, show that the caspase‐matured N‐terminal fragment of GSDMD is recruited to lipid membranes to form pore‐like structures, which constitutes the key effector mechanism of pyroptotic cell death.