LIGHT (protein)

LIGHT, also known as tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 14 (TNFSF14), is a secreted is_associated_with::protein of the is_associated_with::TNF superfamily. It is recognized by is_associated_with::herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), as well as is_associated_with::decoy receptor 3.

Nomenclature
LIGHT stands for "homologous to lymphotoxin, exhibits inducible expression and competes with HSV glycoprotein D for binding to herpesvirus entry mediator, a receptor expressed on T lymphocytes". In the is_associated_with::cluster of differentiation terminology it is classified as CD258.

Interactions
LIGHT has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::TNFRSF14, is_associated_with::TNFRSF6B,  is_associated_with::BIRC2, is_associated_with::TRAF2 and is_associated_with::TRAF3.

Role in herpes simplex virus
Similar to how is_associated_with::CD4 is the primary mediating receptor in HIV infection, the HSV glycoprotein (gD) binds to the is_associated_with::HVEM receptor which is demanded by TNFSF14/LIGHT lowering the ability for LIGHT to activate the is_associated_with::NFκB pathway. NFκB is a survival factor helping to inhibit apoptosis which triggers a pathway inhibiting is_associated_with::caspase 8. When gD from HSV binds to HVEM, LIGHT is non-competitively inhibited from binding, encouraging apoptosis in the infected cell.