DR6 Background Information
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine whose function is mediated by two distinct cell surface receptors, designated TNF-R1 and TNF-R2, which are expressed on most cell types. TNF function is primarily mediated through TNF-R1 signaling. Both TNF-R1 and TNF-R2 belong to the growing TNF receptor superfamily which includes the FAS antigen and CD40. TNF-R1 contains a cytoplasmic motif, termed the “death domain,” that has been found to be necessary for the transduction of the apoptotic signal. The death domain is also found in several other receptors, including FAS, DR2 (or TRUNDD), DR3 (death receptor 3), DR4, DR5 and DR6. TRUNDD, DR4 and DR5 are receptors for the apoptosis-inducing cytokine, TRAIL. A non-death domain-containing receptor, designated decoy receptor (DcRI or TRID), also specifically associates with TRAIL and may play a role in cellular resistance to apoptotic stimuli.
