TNFSF12

Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 12 also known as TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the TNFSF12 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
The protein encoded by this gene is a is_associated_with::cytokine that belongs to the is_associated_with::tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. This protein is a ligand for the FN14/TWEAKR receptor. This cytokine has overlapping signaling functions with TNF, but displays a much wider tissue distribution. This cytokine can induce is_associated_with::apoptosis via multiple pathways of cell death in a cell type-specific manner. This cytokine is also found to promote proliferation and migration of is_associated_with::endothelial cells, and thus acts as a regulator of is_associated_with::angiogenesis.

Clinical signficance
is_associated_with::NFAT1 regulates the expression of TWEAKR and its ligand TWEAK (this protein) with lipocalin 2 to increase breast cancer cell invasion.