[The molecular structure and biological significance of soluble Fas].
Fas (APO-1/CD95) is a type I membrane-bound protein belonging to the TNF receptor family. Fas mediates apoptosis by its crosslinking with Fas ligand or some monoclonal anti-Fas antibodies. As a number of cytokine receptors and cell surface antigens exist in soluble or secreted form, soluble Fas is present at low levels in the sera of healthy persons and at elevated levels in the sera of patients with autoimmune diseases and hematologic malignancies. In this minireview we summarize current knowledge of the molecular structure of soluble Fas translated from alternatively spliced Fas mRNA in humans and animals, and discuss the biological and clinical significance of soluble Fas.
Kobayashi
S
S
Department of Laboratory Technology, College of Medical Technology, Hokkaido.
Koike
T
T
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012995:Solubility; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019014:fas Receptor