Molecular biology of Fas antigen-Fas ligand system
Mita, E.; Hayashi, N.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 54(7): 1736-1740
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 8741659 Document Number: 464350
Fas antigen is a type I membrane protein of 45 kDa that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/nerve growth factor receptor family. The binding of agonistic anti-Fas antibody or Fas ligand to Fas antigen induces apoptosis. The unique motif "death domain" in the cytoplasmic region of Fas antigen is essential for the initiation of apoptosis. Fas ligand is a type II membrane protein of 40 kDa that belongs to the TNF family. Fas ligand is predominantly expressed in activated T cells. Fas system plays an important role on the clonal deletion of autoreactive T cells and T cell-mediated cytotoxicity.