The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily. This receptor is especially abundant in hematologic tissues. It has been shown to activate the NF-kappaB pathway and selectively bind TNF receptor-associated factor 1 (TRAF1). This receptor is capable of stimulating T-cell proliferation in the presence of CD3 signaling, which suggests its regulatory role in immune response. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encoding the same protein have been reported.[9]
^Polek TC, Talpaz M, Spivak-Kroizman TR (Sep 2006). "TRAIL-induced cleavage and inactivation of SPAK sensitizes cells to apoptosis". Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 349 (3): 1016–24. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.08.118. PMID16950202.
^Cusick JK, Xu LG, Bin LH, Han KJ, Shu HB (Jan 2006). "Identification of RELT homologues that associate with RELT and are phosphorylated by OSR1". Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 340 (2): 535–43. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.12.033. PMID16389068.