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Genetics Home Reference: your guide to understanding genetic conditions
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TNF

The information on this page was automatically extracted from online scientific databases.

What is the official name of the TNF gene?

The official name of this gene is “tumor necrosis factor.”

TNF is the gene's official symbol. The TNF gene is also known by other names, listed below.

What is the normal function of the TNF gene?

From Entrez Gene (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7124):

This gene encodes a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. This cytokine is mainly secreted by macrophages. It can bind to, and thus functions through its receptors TNFRSF1A/TNFR1 and TNFRSF1B/TNFBR. This cytokine is involved in the regulation of a wide spectrum of biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, lipid metabolism, and coagulation. This cytokine has been implicated in a variety of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, insulin resistance, and cancer. Knockout studies in mice also suggested the neuroprotective function of this cytokine. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

From UniProt (http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P01375):

Cytokine that binds to TNFRSF1A/TNFR1 and TNFRSF1B/TNFBR. It is mainly secreted by macrophages and can induce cell death of certain tumor cell lines. It is potent pyrogen causing fever by direct action or by stimulation of interleukin-1 secretion and is implicated in the induction of cachexia, Under certain conditions it can stimulate cell proliferation and induce cell differentiation.The TNF intracellular domain (ICD) form induces IL12 production in dendritic cells.

How are changes in the TNF gene related to health conditions?

Genetics Home Reference provides information about these conditions associated with changes in the TNF gene:
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • idiopathic inflammatory myopathy
  • juvenile idiopathic arthritis
  • narcolepsy
Entrez Gene (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7124) lists the following diseases or traits (phenotypes) known or believed to be associated with changes in the TNF gene.
  • Asthma, susceptibility to[1]
  • Migraine[2]
  • Susceptibility to malaria[3]
UniProt and Entrez Gene cite these articles in OMIM, a catalog designed for genetics professionals and researchers that provides detailed information about genetic conditions and genes.
 Article
Number		Main Topic
[1]600807 (http://omim.org/entry/600807)ASTHMA, SUSCEPTIBILITY TO
[2]157300 (http://omim.org/entry/157300)MIGRAINE WITH OR WITHOUT AURA, SUSCEPTIBILITY TO, 1
[3]611162 (http://omim.org/entry/611162)MALARIA, SUSCEPTIBILITY TO MALARIA, RESISTANCE TO, INCLUDED
191160 (http://omim.org/entry/191160)TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR

Where is the TNF gene located?

Cytogenetic Location: 6p21.3

Molecular Location on chromosome 6: base pairs 31,543,343 to 31,546,112

The TNF gene is located on the short (p) arm of chromosome 6 at position 21.3.

The TNF gene is located on the short (p) arm of chromosome 6 at position 21.3.

More precisely, the TNF gene is located from base pair 31,543,343 to base pair 31,546,112 on chromosome 6.

See How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/howgeneswork/genelocation) in the Handbook.

Where can I find additional information about TNF?

You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for genetics professionals and researchers.

  • OMIM - Genetic disorder catalog
    • MIGRAINE WITH OR WITHOUT AURA, SUSCEPTIBILITY TO, 1 (http://omim.org/entry/157300)
    • TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR (http://omim.org/entry/191160)
    • ASTHMA, SUSCEPTIBILITY TO (http://omim.org/entry/600807)
    • MALARIA, SUSCEPTIBILITY TO MALARIA, RESISTANCE TO, INCLUDED (http://omim.org/entry/611162)
  • Research Resources - Tools for researchers
    • Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology (http://atlasgeneticsoncology.org/Genes/TNFaID319.html)
    • Entrez Gene (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7124)
    • GeneCards (http://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?id=7124&id_type=entrezgene)
    • HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (http://www.genenames.org/data/hgnc_data.php?hgnc_id=11892)
    • UniProt (http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P01375)

What other names do people use for the TNF gene or gene products?

  • DIF
  • TNFA
  • TNF-alpha
  • TNFSF2

See How are genetic conditions and genes named? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/naming) in the Handbook.

What glossary definitions help with understanding TNF?

apoptosis ; arthritis ; autoimmune ; cachexia ; cancer ; cell ; cell proliferation ; coagulation ; cytokine ; differentiation ; domain ; fever ; gene ; insulin ; insulin resistance ; intracellular ; lipid ; malaria ; metabolism ; migraine ; mutation ; necrosis ; polymorphism ; proliferation ; psoriasis ; secretion ; spectrum ; spondylitis ; susceptibility ; tumor

You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary).

 

The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/findingprofessional) in the Handbook.

 
Published: May 20, 2013