TNFRSF12A gene

The TNFRSF12A gene (TNFRSF12A stands for TNF Receptor Superfamily Member 12A) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 16p13.3.

The TNFRSF12A gene codes for the TNFSF12/TWEAK receptor. This receptor protein is a weak trigger of apoptosis in some cell types. Promotes angiogenesis and proliferation of endothelial cells. Can modulate cellular adhesion to matrix proteins.

The protein receptor is involved in the positive regulation of the extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway and the regulation of wound healing.

Diseases associated with TNFRSF12A include glioblastoma and multiple sclerosis. Related signaling pathways include Akt signaling and TNF superfamily - human ligand-receptor interactions.

The TNFRSF protein Fn14 is the tumor necrosis factor-like weak apoptosis inducer (TWEAK) receptor. Fn14 has been described in fibroblasts as fibroblast growth factor-inducible-14, a gene that responds directly to growth factors. Although Fn14 is hardly expressed in healthy endothelial cells, neurons, astrocytes, microglia and progenitor cells, it is highly inducible in these cells. The interaction of TWEAK with its (Fn14) receptor triggers several molecular events and biological responses depending on the cell type and microenvironment (Bhattacharjee M et al. 2012)

These downstream signaling pathways include the large number of 46 proteins and 28 inducible genes. Accordingly, the interaction of TWEAK with its Fn14 receptor primarily activates nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) via interaction with intracellular TNF receptor-associated factors. mTWEAK appears to activate the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway more efficiently, while both membrane-bound and soluble TWEAK can induce the non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway (Roos C et al. 2010).

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