TAK1-dependent autophagy: A suppressor of fatty liver disease and hepatic oncogenesis

In addition to regulating the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), TGF-beta activated kinase 1 (TAK1) also upregulates the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and autophagy. In the liver, TAK1-mediated autophagy plays a role in preventing excessive lipid accumulation induced by starvation and fat overload. TAK1-mediated autophagy and inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) prevent liver fibrosis and tumor development.