Death receptor 6

Death receptor 6 (also known as DR6 or TNFRSF21) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TNFRSF21 gene. It is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF), a group of proteins that play a crucial role in controlling cell survival and death.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The DR6 protein is a type I transmembrane protein with a unique structure. It contains four cysteine-rich repeats in the extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and a death domain in the intracellular region. The death domain is a conserved region found in many proteins involved in apoptosis and inflammation.

Function[edit | edit source]

DR6 plays a significant role in the regulation of cell death and survival. It can induce apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death, in certain cell types. The activation of DR6 can lead to the activation of caspase enzymes, which are key players in the execution of apoptosis.

In addition to its role in apoptosis, DR6 has been implicated in the regulation of immune response. It can modulate the activity of T cells and B cells, which are essential components of the immune system.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Alterations in the function or expression of DR6 have been associated with several diseases. For example, overexpression of DR6 has been observed in certain types of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer. In these cases, the high levels of DR6 may contribute to the survival and proliferation of cancer cells.

On the other hand, reduced expression of DR6 has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In this context, DR6 may play a role in the degeneration of neurons.