TAK1, more than just innate immunity

Transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a key regulator of the innate immunity and the proinflammatory signaling pathway. In response to interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-a, and toll-like receptor agonists, it mediates the activation of the nuclear factor ?B (NF-?B), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 pathways. In addition, TAK1 plays a central role in adaptive immunity, in which it mediates signaling from T- and B-cell receptors. This review will focus on recent developments and also examine the regulation of TAK1 in response to a diverse range of other stimuli including DNA damage, transforming growth factor-beta, Wnt, osmotic stress, and hypoxia. (c) 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 2012, 64(10):825834, 2012