LTBR gene

The LTBR gene (LTBR stands for lymphotoxin beta receptor) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12p13.31. The LTBR gene encodes a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, namely "lymphotoxin beta receptor (CD18)". Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed.

The most important ligands of this receptor include lymphotoxin alpha/beta and tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14. The encoded protein plays a role in signal transduction during lymphoid and other organ development, lipid metabolism, immune response and programmed cell death (promotes apoptosis via TRAF3 and TRAF5). The activity of this receptor has also been linked to carcinogenesis.

Diseases associated with LTBR include outer ear basal cell carcinoma and outer ear squamous cell carcinoma. Related pathways include TNF Superfamily - Human Ligand-Receptor Interactions and their Associated Functions and LT-BetaR Pathway. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations related to this gene include Identical Protein Binding and Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Binding. An important paralog of this gene is TNFRSF11A.

1. Navrazhina K et al. (2020) Basal cell carcinomas of the ear are more aggressive and have higher discordance rates between biopsy and Mohs histopathology. J Am Acad Dermatol 83(6):1805-1807