LIGHT (protein)
LIGHT, also known as tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 14, is a secreted protein of the TNF superfamily. It is recognized by herpesvirus [entry mediator], as well as decoy receptor 3.
Nomenclature
LIGHT stands for "homologous to lymphotoxin, exhibits inducible expression and competes with HSV glycoprotein D for binding to herpesvirus entry mediator, a receptor expressed on T lymphocytes". In the cluster of differentiation terminology it is classified as CD258.Function
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the tumor necrosis factor ligand family. This protein is a ligand for TNFRSF14, which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, and which is also known as a herpesvirus entry mediator. Two alternatively spliced transcript variant encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.This protein may function as a costimulatory factor for the activation of lymphoid cells and as a deterrent to infection by herpesvirus. This protein has been shown to stimulate the proliferation of T cells, trigger apoptosis of various tumor cells and play a role in vascular normalisation processes. This protein is also reported to prevent tumor necrosis factor alpha-mediated apoptosis in primary hepatocytes.