| Primary Identifier | IPR011172 | Type | Family |
| Short Name | Poxvirus_TNF_rcpt-II |
| description | Cytokines can be grouped into a family on the basis of sequence, functional and structural similarities [, , ]. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (also known as TNF-alpha or cachectin) is a monocyte-derived cytotoxin that has been implicated in tumour regression, septic shock and cachexia [, ]. The protein is synthesised as a prohormone with an unusually long and atypical signal sequence, which is absent from the mature secreted cytokine []. A short hydrophobic stretch of amino acids serves to anchor the prohormone in lipid bilayers []. Both the mature protein and a partially-processed form of the hormone are secreted after cleavage of the propeptide [].There are a number of different families of TNF, but all these cytokines seem to form homotrimeric (or heterotrimeric in the case of LT-alpha/beta) complexes that are recognised by their specific receptors. TNF exerts its function mainly through two TNF receptors, TNF-1 and TNF-2, which are expressed on nearly all cells of the body. This entry represents TNF-2.TNFs and their receptors can select and kill virus-infected cells [].Poxviruses are large DNA viruses that encode many proteins capable of interfering with host immune functions, including soluble versions of cytokine receptors such as vTNFalpha-2 (viral TNFalpha receptor 2). These soluble cytokine receptors effectively block cytokine activity and modulate viral virulence. The C22L type receptor in vaccinia virus is equivalent to the CrmB (cytokine response modifier B) protein in cowpox virus [, , ]. |
