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. 2000 Sep 1;350(Pt 2):505–510.

Functional analysis of tumour necrosis factor-alpha-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL): cysteine-230 plays a critical role in the homotrimerization and biological activity of this novel tumoricidal cytokine.

D Trabzuni 1, K S Famulski 1, M Ahmad 1
PMCID: PMC1221278  PMID: 10947965

Abstract

We have determined that the mutation of the cysteine-230 residue to either glycine or serine in TRAIL (tumour necrosis factor-alpha-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) results in the formation of a structurally incompetent dimer and a consequent loss of apoptotic activity. Similarly, chemical modification of the thiol residues present in both reduced and Zn(2+)-depleted trimer converts TRAIL into an inactive dimer. We postulate that cysteine-230 plays a critical role in homotrimerization of this tumoricidal cytokine.

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Selected References

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