Ectodysplasin A (EDA)

Ectodysplasin-A is a type II membrane protein that can be cleaved by furin to produce a secreted form. The encoded protein, which belongs to the tumor necrosis factor family, acts as a homotrimer and may be involved in cell-cell signaling during the development of ectodermal organs. Defects in this gene are a cause of ectodermal dysplasia, anhidrotic, which is also known as X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Several transcript variants encoding many different isoforms have been found for this gene.

Not abundant; expressed in specific cell types of ectodermal (but not mesodermal) origin of keratinocytes, hair follicles, sweat glands. Also in adult heart, liver, muscle, pancreas, prostate, fetal liver, uterus, small intestine and umbilical chord.