| Synonyms: |
DIF, TNF-alpha, TNFA, TNFSF2, RATTNF, Tnfa, tnf, TNF-a, TNFalpha, Tnfsf1a, TNFa, cTNF, Tnf-alpha, tnfa-like, TNF-ALPHA, dif, tnfa, xtnf, tnfsf2, tnf-alpha, Cachectin, tumor necrosis factor, tumor necrosis factor b (TNF superfamily, member 2), tumor necrosis factor alpha, tumor necrosis factor a (TNF superfamily, member 2), TNF, Tnf, tnf, tnfb, tnf-alpha, LOC103694380, tnfa. |
| Background: |
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) is a trimeric protein weighing 35 kDa, with a type II transmembrane structure. It interacts with two distinct receptors, TNF-R1 and TNF-R2. While both receptors activate NF-κB and JNK pathways, TNF-R1 specifically induces cell death signals. A metalloprotease efficiently cleaves and releases membrane-bound TNF-alpha, generating a soluble form (sTNF-alpha) that binds to TNF-R1. TNF-R2-mediated signals necessitate the presence of membrane-bound TNF-alpha. Various cell types, including neutrophils, activated lymphocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, produce TNF-alpha. |
