FAS Protein is a protein encoded by the FAS gene that in the central nervous system, fas signaling regulates:. This page describes its structure, normal nervous system function, role in neurodegenerative disease, and potential as a therapeutic target. [1]
Fas (also known as CD95 or TNFRSF6) is a cell surface death receptor that plays a critical role in extrinsic apoptosis. It is a member of the TNF receptor superfamily and mediates programmed cell death signals crucial for neuronal survival and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. Fas is a type I transmembrane receptor with three extracellular cysteine-rich domains for Fas ligand binding and an intracellular death domain that triggers apoptotic signaling. It is expressed in neurons and glial cells throughout the brain and plays roles in developmental apoptosis, immune surveillance, synaptic pruning, and glial cell turnover. [2]
Fas is a type I transmembrane receptor: [3]
| Property | Value | [4]
|----------|-------|
| Gene | FAS |
| UniProt | P01375 |
| Molecular Weight | ~43 kDa |
| Subcellular Localization | Plasma membrane |
| Protein Family | TNF receptor superfamily |
In the central nervous system, Fas signaling regulates:
Fas activation triggers the extrinsic apoptosis pathway:
| Agent | Mechanism | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Fas antibody | Agonist | Research phase |
| Fas-Fc decoy | Soluble receptor | Preclinical |
| FADD dominant negative | Blocks DISC | Investigational |
Ethell et al. Fas and neurodegeneration (2022). 2022. ↩︎
Shin et al. Fas in Alzheimer's disease (2021). 2021. ↩︎
Vila et al. Fas in Parkinson's disease (2020). 2020. ↩︎
Raoul et al. Motor neuron vulnerability in ALS (2021). 2021. ↩︎