Lymphotoxin-Alpha Protein (LTA) Human Active Protein

The encoded protein, a member of the tumor necrosis factor family, is a cytokine produced by lymphocytes. The protein is highly inducible, secreted, and forms heterotrimers with lymphotoxin-beta which anchor lymphotoxin-alpha to the cell surface. This protein also mediates a large variety of inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and antiviral responses, is involved in the formation of secondary lymphoid organs during development and plays a role in apoptosis. Genetic variations in this gene are associated with susceptibility to leprosy type 4, myocardial infarction, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and psoriatic arthritis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been observed for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2012]

LTA: Cytokine that in its homotrimeric form binds to TNFRSF1A/TNFR1, TNFRSF1B/TNFBR and TNFRSF14/HVEM. In its heterotrimeric form with LTB binds to TNFRSF3/LTBR. Lymphotoxin is produced by lymphocytes and cytotoxic for a wide range of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Genetic variations in LTA are a cause of susceptibility psoriatic arthritis (PSORAS). PSORAS is an inflammatory, seronegative arthritis associated with psoriasis. It is a heterogeneous disorder ranging from a mild, non-destructive disease to a severe, progressive, erosive arthropathy. Five types of psoriatic arthritis have been defined: asymmetrical oligoarthritis characterized by primary involvement of the small joints of the fingers or toes; asymmetrical arthritis which involves the joints of the extremities; symmetrical polyarthritis characterized by a rheumatoidlike pattern that can involve hands, wrists, ankles, and feet; arthritis mutilans, which is a rare but deforming and destructive condition; arthritis of the sacroiliac joints and spine (psoriatic spondylitis). Belongs to the tumor necrosis factor family.

Protein type: Apoptosis; Cytokine; Secreted; Secreted, signal peptide

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 6p21.33

Cellular Component: plasma membrane

Molecular Function: receptor binding

Biological Process: apoptosis; cell-cell signaling; signal transduction; tumor necrosis factor-mediated signaling pathway

Disease: Leprosy, Susceptibility To, 4; Myocardial Infarction, Susceptibility To; Psoriatic Arthritis, Susceptibility To