TNFRSF17

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a membrane protein that is expressed mainly on mature B cell surfaces. It is also known as the TNF receptor superfamily member 17 (TNFRSF17) and sometimes referred by other acronyms including BCM, CD269 and TNFRSF13A. BCMA contains one TNFR-Cys repeat in the protein sequence and it is the receptor for TNFSF13B/BLyS/BAFF and TNFSF13/APRIL. It functions as the regulator of B cell survival and humoral immunity. Upon TNFSF13B/BLyS/BAFF (a tumor necrosis factor) interaction, BCMA activates NF-kappaB and MAPK8/JNK that contributes to cell survival and proliferation. In the meantime, the interaction between BCMA and TNFSF13 ligand also contributes to the B cell proliferation.

The abnormal expression of BCMA is associated with several hematological cancers including leukemia, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma. It is an appealing target for the treatment of those hematological malignancies using antibody-based immunotherapies.

Entrez Gene ID: 608
UniProt ID: Q02223