Fas Ligand

Fas Ligand

Target · Death receptor ligand

Fas Ligand Fas ligand · Tumour necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 6

Fas Ligand (FASLG, also known as FasL, CD95L, CD178 and TNFSF6) is a transmembrane member of the tumour necrosis factor superfamily. It induces apoptosis by binding to FAS and has a central role in immune system regulation. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Fas Ligand research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.

Cell membrane and secretedTNF superfamily ligandDrives T cell AICD
281 aa
Protein length
~31 kDa
Molecular weight
1q24.3
Gene locus
TNF superfamily
Protein family
Target information

What is Fas Ligand (fas ligand)?

The primary function of Fas Ligand is the induction of apoptosis, triggered when this transmembrane protein binds to FAS. The FAS/FASLG signalling pathway is essential for immune system regulation, including activation-induced cell death (AICD) of T cells and cytotoxic T lymphocyte induced cell death. UniProt also annotates a cytoplasmic form of the protein that induces inhibition of gene transcription.

The Fas Ligand protein belongs to the tumour necrosis factor family, and the FASLG gene is a member of the tumour necrosis factor superfamily. UniProt records its subcellular locations as the cell membrane, cytoplasmic vesicle lumen, lysosome lumen, secreted and nucleus. Alternatively spliced transcript variants of the Fas Ligand gene have been described. Mouse and rat both carry an ortholog named Faslg.

Fas Ligand has been known under several names, including apoptosis (APO-1) antigen ligand 1, tumour necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily member 6 (TNFSF6), APTL, APT1LG1, CD95L and CD178. HGNC places it in the CD molecules, tumour necrosis factor superfamily and death inducing signalling complex gene groups. The FAS/FASLG pathway has been implicated in the progression of several cancers, and defects in the gene may be related to some cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Apoptosis signalling

Fas Ligand triggers apoptosis by binding FAS, making it a core component for studying death receptor signalling and the death inducing signalling complex.

Immune regulation

The FAS/FASLG pathway is essential for immune system regulation, including activation-induced cell death of T cells and cytotoxic T lymphocyte induced cell death.

Cancer research

The FAS/FASLG signalling pathway has been implicated in the progression of several cancers, so Fas Ligand is studied in tumour biology.

Autoimmunity and lupus

Defects in the FASLG gene may be related to some cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, linking Fas Ligand to autoimmune disease research.

Background

Fas Ligand frequently asked questions

What does Fas Ligand do?

Fas Ligand is a transmembrane protein whose primary function is to induce apoptosis by binding FAS. This pathway is essential for immune regulation, including activation-induced cell death of T cells and cytotoxic T lymphocyte induced cell death. A cytoplasmic form is annotated as inhibiting gene transcription.

What other names is Fas Ligand known by?

Fas Ligand is encoded by FASLG and is also called FasL, CD95L, CD178, TNFSF6, APTL and APT1LG1. Earlier names include apoptosis (APO-1) antigen ligand 1 and tumour necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, member 6. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described.

Is Fas Ligand linked to disease, and is it conserved in mouse and rat?

The FAS/FASLG pathway has been implicated in the progression of several cancers, and defects in the gene may relate to some cases of systemic lupus erythematosus. Mouse and rat both have a Faslg ortholog; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.

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Related targets

Other tumour necrosis factor superfamily members, death receptor pathway components and apoptosis markers with products at Assay Genie.

Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P48023; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.

Fas Ligand Product listing