Overview:

FADD or Fas-Associated protein with Death Domain is an adaptor molecule that mediates death signaling by the Fas-receptor, tumor necrosis factor receptor and TRAIL-receptor. FADD binds to these receptors via the C-terminus Death Domain which then unmasks the N-terminal effector domain of FADD thereby allowing it to recruit caspase-8 and activate the cysteine protease cascade leading to apoptosis (1). Cells lacking FADD are defective in intracellular double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated gene expression, including production of type I (alpha/beta) interferons and are thus very susceptible to viral infection (2).

Gene Aliases:

GIG3, MORT1, MGC8528

Genbank Number:

NM_003824

References:

1. Sheikh, M.S et al: The FADD is going nuclear. Cell Cycle, 2004; 2 (4): 346–7.

2. Balachandran, S. et al : A FADD-dependent innate immune mechanism in mammalian cells. Nature 432: 401-405, 2004.