Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 10C (TNFRSF10C)

Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 10C (TNFRSF10C), also known as Decoy receptor 1 (DCR1) and TRAIL receptor 3 (TRAILR3), is a cell surface receptor in the TNF receptor superfamily. It contains an extracellular cysteine-rich domain that binds TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) but lacks an intracellular death domain required to transmit apoptotic signals. As such, TNFRSF10C does not induce apoptosis after ligand binding but instead functions as a decoy receptor—preventing TRAIL from activating apoptosis through the true death receptors DR4 (TNFRSF10A) and DR5 (TNFRSF10B). TNFRSF10C is considered a negative regulator of apoptosis, and its expression is common in normal tissues but low or absent in many tumor types. Its downregulation, often via promoter hypermethylation, plays a role in tumorigenesis by increasing cell sensitivity to TRAIL-induced cell death. The gene is p53-regulated and inducible upon DNA damage. TNFRSF10C’s status as a decoy receptor makes it of particular interest in cancer immunology, tumor immune evasion, and as a biomarker for various cancers.

Other names

Decoy receptor 1DCR1TRAIL receptor 3TRAILR3LITTRIDCD263Antagonist decoy receptor for TRAIL/Apo-2LDecoy TRAIL receptor without death domainLymphocyte inhibitor of TRAILTNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 3TRAIL receptor without an intracellular domain

Acts as a decoy receptor: binds TRAIL but does not transduce apoptotic signals, thereby blocking apoptosis otherwise mediated by TRAIL-activated death receptors (DR4, DR5).