TRAF-mediated regulation of immune and inflammatory responses

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family consists of six mammalian members, and is shown to participate in signal transduction of a large number of receptor families including TNF receptor family (TNFR) and Toll-like receptors-interleukin-1 receptors (TLR-IL-1R) family. Upon receptor activation, TRAFs are directly or indirectly recruited to the intracellular domains of these receptors. They subsequently engage other signaling proteins to activate inhibitor of kappa B kinase (IKK) complex, TRAF family member-associated NF-kappa B activator (TANK)-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and inducible I kappa B kinase (IKK-i) (also known as IKK epsilon), ultimately leading to activation of transcription factors such as NF-kappa B and interferon-regulatory factor (IRF) to induce immune and inflammatory responses.