title: The molecular architecture of the TNF superfamily.
abstract: Ligands of the TNF (tumour necrosis factor) superfamily have pivotal roles in the organization and function of the immune system, and are implicated in the aetiology of several acquired and genetic diseases. TNF ligands share a common structural motif, the TNF homology domain (THD), which binds to cysteine-rich domains (CRDs) of TNF receptors. CRDs are composed of structural modules, whose variation in number and type confers heterogeneity upon the family. Protein folds reminiscent of the THD and CRD are also found in other protein families, raising the possibility that the mode of interaction between TNF and TNF receptors might be conserved in other contexts.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Chemin des Boveresses 155, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bodmer
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Jürg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tschopp
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D008024:Ligands; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017510:Protein Folding; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000737:chemistry; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha