Description
Human Tumor necrosis factor (TNF- alpha), also known as Cachectin, is a cytokine composed of 157 aa residues, having a molecular weight of 17kD (monomer). There is 79% homology between human and murine TNF- alpha, including conserved cysteine residues which form an intrachain disulfide bridge. Biological effects of this cytokine include antitumor activity in vivo and in vitro, activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, antiviral activity, and the induction of the release if Interleukin-1 or colony stimulating factors from a variety of sources