TRAIL Active Protein

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. This protein preferentially induces apoptosis in transformed and tumor cells, but does not appear to kill normal cells although it is expressed at a significant level in most normal tissues. This protein binds to several members of TNF receptor superfamily including TNFRSF10A/TRAILR1, TNFRSF10B/TRAILR2, TNFRSF10C/TRAILR3, TNFRSF10D/TRAILR4, and possibly also to TNFRSF11B/OPG. The activity of this protein may be modulated by binding to the decoy receptors TNFRSF10C/TRAILR3, TNFRSF10D/TRAILR4, and TNFRSF11B/OPG that cannot induce apoptosis. The binding of this protein to its receptors has been shown to trigger the activation of MAPK8/JNK, caspase 8, and caspase 3. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2010]

TRAIL: Cytokine that binds to TNFRSF10A/TRAILR1, TNFRSF10B/TRAILR2, TNFRSF10C/TRAILR3, TNFRSF10D/TRAILR4 and possibly also to TNFRSF11B/OPG. Induces apoptosis. Its activity may be modulated by binding to the decoy receptors TNFRSF10C/TRAILR3, TNFRSF10D/TRAILR4 and TNFRSF11B/OPG that cannot induce apoptosis. Homotrimer. Widespread; most predominant in spleen, lung and prostate. Belongs to the tumor necrosis factor family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Cytokine; Membrane protein, integral

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 3q26

Cellular Component: extracellular space; integral to plasma membrane; extracellular region

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

Biological Process: caspase activation; positive regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB cascade; cell-cell signaling; positive regulation of apoptosis; apoptosis; male gonad development; positive regulation of caspase activity; immune response; signal transduction; response to insulin stimulus