IRAK2
IRAK2 is a member of the IRAK family whose kinase domain carries degenerated catalytic residues and behaves largely as an adaptor rather than an enzyme. Downstream of Toll-like receptors such as TLR4 and of the IL-1 receptor family, IRAK2 is phosphorylated by IRAK4 within MyD88-dependent Myddosomes and then sustains TRAF6 engagement, contributing to the delayed, long-lasting phase of NF-κB activation observed after LPS stimulation. IRAK2 expression is enriched in myeloid cells and is inducible during inflammation, allowing it to partially compensate for IRAK1 turnover. These properties make IRAK2 relevant to sepsis and chronic inflammatory signaling, and recombinant IRAK2 is used in Myddosome assembly and protein-interaction studies.
