TNFSF13 gene

The TNFSF13 gene (TNFSF13 stands for "Tumor Necrosis Factor (Ligand) Superfamily, Member 13") encodes the protein "A proliferation inducing ligand" also known as APRIL, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family.

The TNFSF13 gene is located on chromosome 17p13.1.

APRIL is a ligand for TNFRSF17/BCMA. Both APRIL and its receptor play important roles in B cell development.

In vitro experiments suggest that this protein can induce apoptosis through its interaction with other TNF receptor family proteins, such as TNFRSF6/FAS and TNFRSF14/HVEM. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.

Diseases associated with TNFSF13 include brain glioblastoma multiforme and rheumatoid arthritis. Related signaling pathways include PEDF Induced Signaling and TRAF Pathway. An important paralog of this gene is TNFSF12-TNFSF13.

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