Fas receptor (also known as CD95 or APO-1) (CD95 (Fas))

The Fas receptor (CD95, APO-1, TNFRSF6) is a type I transmembrane protein and prototypical member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, characterized by an intracellular death domain essential for triggering apoptosis upon binding of Fas ligand (FasL/CD95L). The CD95/Fas system is central to immune homeostasis, enabling deletion of activated or autoreactive lymphocytes and contributing to cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated killing of cancer or infected cells, while also involved in the shutdown of immune responses after pathogen clearance. In the immune system, disruption of Fas-mediated cell death leads to uncontrolled lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity, while in cancer, evasion of Fas-induced apoptosis permits tumor cell survival. Beyond apoptosis, Fas can trigger non-apoptotic signaling cascades (such as via NF-κB), regulating inflammation, cell proliferation, and survival. Therapeutic targeting of the Fas pathway is being investigated for cancer, autoimmune, and inflammatory disorders, but is challenged by ubiquitous expression and potential for widespread tissue toxicity.

Other names

FasCD95APO-1TNFRSF6 (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6)

Induction of apoptosis via death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) formation, activating caspase-8\nNon-apoptotic immune modulation (NF-κB signaling, cell survival/proliferation pathways)