Tumor Necrosis Factor Superfamily Members: Nomenclature Update and Models
JAX® NOTES Issue 477, Spring 1999
The mouse and human nomenclature committees and basic researchers recently met and combined efforts to standardize the nomenclature of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. New nomenclature was adopted to reflect the genetic and functional relationships among numerous ligands and receptors. The Jackson Laboratory distributes a number of mice with targeted mutations ("knockout") for these TNF superfamily members. Table 1 outlines the relevant nomenclature changes to assist you in strain selection and identification. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a member of the TNF ligand superfamily that also includes lymphotoxins alpha (LTA) and beta (LTB), tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, member 5 (TNFSF5), and the FAS ligand (FASL). One of the most important functions of TNF is its selective cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. In addition to inducing cell necrosis in tumor cells, TNF induces apoptosis in non-cancerous cells (e.g., hepatocytes and T cells).
The TNF receptor superfamily is a group of type 1-membrane proteins containing characteristic cysteinerich repeats in the extracellular domain. Family members include TNFRSF1, TNFRSF2, TNFRSF5, FAS antigen, NGFR, and others. These molecules are involved in the regulation of cell growth, survival or death. The multiple biological activities of TNF are mediated by TNFRSF1 (55 Kd) and TNFRSF2 (75 Kd). TNFRSF1 plays a decisive role in the host?s defense against microorganisms and their pathogenic factors, and may also play a role in atherosclerosis. TNFSF5 binds its receptor, TNFRSF5, on B lymphocytes regulating cell growth and development.
| Table 1: TNF Superfamily Nomenclature Changes | ||||
| Former Gene Symbol |
Revised Gene Symbol |
Revised Gene Name (Common Name) |
Strain Name | Stock Number |
| Cd40 | Tnfrsf5 | tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 5 (CD40 antigen) |
BALB/cAnNcr-Tnfrsf5tm1Kik |
002927 002928 |
|
Cd40l |
Tnfsf5 | tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily, member 5 (CD40 ligand) |
B6,129S-Tnfsf5tm1lmx C57BL/6J-Tnfsf5tm1lmx |
002428 002770 |
| Tnfa | Tnf | tumor necrosis factor | B6,129-Tnftm1Gkl | 003008 |
| Tnfb | Lta | lymphotoxin A | B6,129S-Ltatm1Dch C57BL/6J-Ltatm1Dch |
002257 002258 |
| Tnfr1 | Tnfrsf1a | tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 1a (p55) |
C57BL/6-Tnfrsf1atm1Mak C57BL/6-Tnfrsf1atm1lmx |
002818 003242 |
| Tnfr2 | Tnfrsf1b | tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 1b (p75) |
C57BL/6-Tnfrsf1btm1Mwm C57BL/6-Tnfrsf1btm1lmx |
002620 003246 |
| Tnfr1 Tnfr2 | Tnfrsf1a Tnfrsf1b |
tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, members 1a and 1b |
C57BL/6-Tnfrsf1atm1lmx Tnfrsf1btm1lmx |
003243 |
