The protein encoded by this gene is a member of theTNF-receptor superfamily. This receptor is expressed preferentiallyin the tissues enriched in lymphocytes, and it may play a role inregulating lymphocyte homeostasis. This receptor has been shown tostimulate NF-kappa B activity and regulate cell apoptosis. Thesignal transduction of this receptor is mediated by various deathdomain containing adaptor proteins. Knockout studies in micesuggested the role of this gene in the removal of self-reactive Tcells in the thymus. Multiple alternatively spliced transcriptvariants of this gene encoding distinct isoforms have beenreported, most of which are potentially secreted molecules. Thealternative splicing of this gene in B and T cells encounters aprogrammed change upon T-cell activation, which predominantlyproduces full-length, membrane bound isoforms, and is thought to beinvolved in controlling lymphocyte proliferation induced by T-cellactivation. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].