APRIL (protein)

A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), also known as tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13 (TNFSF13), is a is_associated_with::protein of the is_associated_with::TNF superfamily recognized by the is_associated_with::cell surface receptor TACI.

Nomenclature
In the is_associated_with::cluster of differentiation terminology, APRIL is designated CD256.

Function
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the tumor necrosis factor ligand (TNF) ligand family. This protein is a ligand for is_associated_with::TNFRSF17/BCMA, a member of the is_associated_with::TNF receptor family. This protein and its receptor are both found to be important for is_associated_with::B cell development. In vivo experiments suggest an important role for APRIL in the long-term survival of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Mice deficient in April showed a reduced ability to support plasma cell survival In vitro experiments suggested that this protein may be able to induce is_associated_with::apoptosis through its interaction with other TNF receptor family proteins such as TNFRSF6/FAS and is_associated_with::TNFRSF14/HVEM. Three alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

Interactions
TNFSF13 has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::TNFRSF13B and is_associated_with::B-cell activating factor.