Full name: lymphotoxin alpha

Gene type: protein coding

RefSeq status: REVIEWED

Also known as: LT; TNFB; TNFSF1; TNLG1E

Summary: The encoded protein, a member of the tumor necrosis factor family, is a cytokine produced by lymphocytes. The protein is highly inducible, secreted, and forms heterotrimers with lymphotoxin-beta which anchor lymphotoxin-alpha to the cell surface. This protein also mediates a large variety of inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and antiviral responses, is involved in the formation of secondary lymphoid organs during development and plays a role in apoptosis. Genetic variations in this gene are associated with susceptibility to leprosy type 4, myocardial infarction, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and psoriatic arthritis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been observed for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2012]

Expression: Biased expression in lymph node (RPKM 3.5), appendix (RPKM 1.7) and 7 other tissues

Gene size: 13715bp

Exon count: 6