Tumor necrosis factor-alpha: Molecular-biological aspects minireview

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) a proinflammatory cytokine with mul tiple actions was first identified for its anticancer activity. However, TN F-alpha has a beneficial function in activation of host defense, its uncont rolled production can lead to pathological consequences. At the cellular le ver, it is able to exert obviously opposing effects: apoptosis and activati on. It modulates survival and activates genes through various intermediates , including protein kinases, protein phosphatases, reactive oxygen intermed iates, phospholipases, proteases, sphingomyelinases and transcription facto rs. In this review, the TNF-alpha is characterized at the molecular and cel lular level (TNF-alpha mediated signal transduction is discussed in the fir st part, regulation of its expression in the second one), as well as method s of its determination in biological materials, giving special emphasis to the molecular-biological approach. The full understanding of the molecular mechanism of TNF-alpha will provide the basis for a pharmacological approac h intended to inhibit or potentiate selected biological actions of this cyt okine.