Death domain factor receptor superfamily

There are two distinct types of TNF receptors, TNF-R1 (CD120a or P55) and TNF-R2 (CD120b or P75). They are implicated in inflammatory processes and both belong to the TNF receptor superfamily. TNF receptors are transmembrane proteins with intracellular domains that lack intrinsic enzymatic activity, and consequently, they require cytoplasmic proteins that help initiate the receptor-induced signaling pathways. TNF-R1 possesses an intracellular death domain and TNF-R2 interacts with molecules of the TNF receptor-associated factor 2 family (TRAF). 

The extrinsic pathway consists of a series of events initially induced by death receptors located on the cell surface. It is initiated by interaction of extracellular death ligands with their respective receptors, located on the surface of the plasma membrane. The death ligands are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/nerve growth factor (NGF) superfamily. TNF-R1, Fas (Apo-l/CD95), TRAIL-R1, TRAIL-R2, and NGF-R are examples of death receptors. They are transmembrane proteins consisting of an external domain, where the ligand associates, and a cytoplasmic domain, which contains the DD (death domain). 

The neurotrophin receptor p75 was first identified as a nerve growth factor (NGF)-binding protein and was subsequently shown to interact with each of the other neurotrophic factors, BDNF, neurotrophin-3, and neurotrophin-4/-5. It also modulates the activity of several members of the tropomyosin-related receptor tyrosine kinase family (Trk) (reviewed in Chao, 2003). p75, a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, is a type I transmembrane protein with four cysteine-rich domains in its extracellular region and a Death domain in its cytoplasmic protein (Fig. 11). 

Many cells have death receptors on the surface of their plasma membranes and apoptosis is triggered by their cognate ligands. Death receptors belong to the superfamily of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors. Most consist of a cysteine-rich extracellular domain, a membrane-spanning domain, and a cytoplasmic domain containing... 

---