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 TRAF Domain | |
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| Class:Apoptosis | |
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Structure:
 TRAF domains are composed of a highly conserved coiled-coil domain followed by a TRAF-C domain. The N-terminal coiled-coil domain is comprised of a single alpha helix while the TRAF-C domain folds into a beta-sandwich structure. TRAF domains oligomerize as dimers, trimers and/or heterotrimers. The structure of the TRAF domain of TRAF-2 reveals a trimer where the coiled-coil region forms a single stalk-like structure and the TRAF-C domains form three separate lobed structures below this stalk. The monomeric form of the TRAF 2 domain is shown.
Structure Reference:
Park, YC. et al. (2000) Cell. 101(7): 777-787. PDB: 1F3V.
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Domain binding and function:
The approximately 150 amino acid TRAF domain is found in Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) receptor-associated factors. TRAF proteins appear to be a relatively recent evolutionary development as there is just one C. elegans TRAF protein and only two Drosophila, and six mammalian TRAF proteins. All mammalian TRAFs localize to the cytoplasm except TRAF4 which is found in the nucleus. TRAF proteins are recruited to the membrane through interactions of their TRAF domains with activated TNF receptors, IL-1/Toll receptors or through intermediate proteins such as the TRADDs. TRAFs primarily act in cell survival upon interacting with TNF receptors by activating the NFkB and AP-1 transcription factors. The six mammalian TRAF proteins have distinct functions. For example, TRAF3 regulates T-cell dependent antigen responses, TRAF4 is required for formation of the trachea and TRAF6 modulates IL-1, CD40, and LPS signaling. TRAFs are also important in Epstein-Barr Virus replication by binding to LMP1 and subsequently potentiating growth and transformation.
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Examples of Proteins:
| TRAF Domain Proteins |
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Binding Partners |
| TRAF 1,2,3,5 |  |
CD40 |
| TRAF 1,2 | |
TRADD |
| TRAF6 | |
IRAK |
| TRAF 2 | |
TNFR1 |
| TRAF6 | |
IL-1 |
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Referenced in part on Cell Signaling Technology Website, Reference Section on Protein Domains. We gratefully acknowledge the following contributors:
Piers Nash1, Dan Lin3, Kathleen Binns2, Clark Wells2, Rob Ingham2, Terry Kubiseski2, Bernard Liu1, Matt Smith2,3, Ivan Blasutig2,3, Maria Sierra1, Caesar Lim2,3, Michael Arc1, Jim Fawcett2 and Tony Pawson2,3.
1. Ben May Institute for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, USA
2. Program in Molecular Biology and Cancer, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X5, Canada
3. Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
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