BAFF Human Active Protein

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. This cytokine is a ligand for receptors TNFRSF13B/TACI, TNFRSF17/BCMA, and TNFRSF13C/BAFFR. This cytokine is expressed in B cell lineage cells, and acts as a potent B cell activator. It has been also shown to play an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of B cells. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been identified. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2011]

BAFF: Cytokine that binds to TNFRSF13B/TACI and TNFRSF17/BCMA. TNFSF13/APRIL binds to the same 2 receptors. Together, they form a 2 ligands -2 receptors pathway involved in the stimulation of B- and T-cell function and the regulation of humoral immunity. A third B-cell specific BAFF-receptor (BAFFR/BR3) promotes the survival of mature B-cells and the B-cell response. Belongs to the tumor necrosis factor family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Cell cycle regulation; Membrane protein, integral; Cytokine; Apoptosis

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 13q32-q34

Cellular Component: extracellular space; perinuclear region of cytoplasm; cytoplasm; plasma membrane; integral to membrane

Molecular Function: protein binding; cytokine activity; tumor necrosis factor receptor binding; receptor binding

Biological Process: cell proliferation; B cell costimulation; B cell homeostasis; immunoglobulin secretion; positive regulation of cell proliferation; T cell costimulation; positive regulation of germinal center formation; positive regulation of B cell proliferation; immune response; positive regulation of T cell proliferation; signal transduction