Fas Ligand Antibody [SB93a]

Background:

Fas ligand (CD178) is a 40 kD type II transmembrane protein that is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. This well characterized potent apoptotic factor is utilized by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells to selectively kill virus infected and tumorigenic cells. Moreover, studies indicate that Fas ligand is an important regulator in immune homeostasis where it has been shown to down-regulate immune responses during activation-induced cell death. Fas ligand initiates apoptosis by binding to its receptor, CD95, on target cells which facilitates recruitment of numerous signaling proteins to form a death inducing signaling complex. This signaling complex is then believed to propagate the apoptotic signal through the recruitment and activation of caspase-8. The SB93a monoclonal antibody detects a band at ~40 kDa corresponding to the transmembrane/insoluble form of Fas ligand.