Tumor necrosis factor

Function

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a cytokine which can cause apoptosis. TNFα is implicated in tumor regression, septic shock, inflammation and cachexia (wasting syndrome). It is involved in the regulation of the immune cells^[1]. TNFβ is inhibited by interleukin 10. TNF is a transmembrane homotrimer. The soluble TNF is produced by cleavage by the metalloprotease TNFα-converting enzyme (TACE or ADAM17 see A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase). See also TRAIL and Molecular Playground/TRAIL.

Relevance

TNF is studied as both a target and a therapeutic in malignant diseases^[2].

Structural highlights

The biological assembly of human tumor necrosis factor is homotetramer (PDB entry 2az5). Inhibitor binding site.

3D Structures of tumor necrosis factor

Tumor necrosis factor 3D structures

References

1. ↑ Baud V, Karin M. Signal transduction by tumor necrosis factor and its relatives. Trends Cell Biol. 2001 Sep;11(9):372-7. PMID:11514191
2. ↑ Balkwill F. Tumour necrosis factor and cancer. Nat Rev Cancer. 2009 May;9(5):361-71. doi: 10.1038/nrc2628. Epub 2009 Apr 3. PMID:19343034 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrc2628