Invitrogen™ CD178 Recombinant Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody (106)

CD178 (Fas ligand, FasL) is a type-II-membrane protein, whose N-terminus is in the cytoplasm and its C-terminal region extends into the extracellular space. Its receptor, FasR, is a cell-surface-type-I-membrane protein and a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor family. As a member of the TNF-cytokine family CD178 induces apoptosis when interacting with FasR. CD178 may exist as either membrane bound (45 kD) or soluble forms (26 kD). The soluble protein can be released from cells upon cleavage by metalloproteinases. Binding of CD178 to Fas leads to oligomerization of the receptor and triggers apoptotic cell death through the interaction of other proteins. CD178 is predominantly expressed in activated T-lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells also it is expressed in the tissues of immune-privilege sites such as testis and eye. CD178 expression is also reported in various tissues as thymus, liver, ovary, lung, heart and kidney. It is assumed that induction of apoptosis through CD178 is predominantly involved in anti-viral immune responses. CD178 is a cell surface molecule belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family, binds to its receptor Fas, thus inducing apoptosis. Various cells express FAS, where CD178 is expressed predominantly on activated T cells. FAS and CD178 are involved in the down-regulation of immune reactions as well as T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. CD178 concentration has also been shown to be associated with atherosclerosis and inflammatory disease, in patients with hypertension. The Fas/ CD178 system has been shown to play a role in a number of human diseases, for example AIDS, hepatitis or cancer.