Molecular mechanism of signaling by tumor necrosis factor.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an important cytokine with multiple biological effects, including cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, immune regulation and induction of inflammation. The effects of TNF are mediated by two receptors, TNF-R1 and TNF-R2. The major signal transduction pathways triggered by TNF include those that lead to apoptosis, activation of transcription factor NF-kappa B and protein kinase JNK. This review will discuss the molecular mechanisms of these signaling pathways.