Signaling through the lymphotoxin β receptor induces the death of some adenocarcinoma tumor lines

Abstract

Surface lymphotoxin (LT) is a heteromeric complex of LT-α and LT-β chains that binds to the LT-β receptor (LT-β-R), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of receptors. The biological function of this receptor-ligand system is poorly characterized. Since signaling through other members of this receptor family can induce cell death, e.g., the TNF and Fas receptors, it is important to determine if similar signaling events can be communicated via the LT-β-R. A soluble form of the surface complex was produced by coexpression of LT-α and a converted form of LT-β wherein the normally type II LT-β membrane protein was changed to a type I secreted form. Recombinant LT-α1/β2 was cytotoxic..