Recombinant human IRAK2 protein

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

IRAK2 also known as Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase 2 plays a central role in the immune response. This protein has a molecular mass of approximately 68 kDa. It is broadly expressed in various tissues particularly in those related to the immune system including the spleen thymus and peripheral blood leukocytes. IRAK2 is a part of the IRAK family which includes other kinases like IRAK1 IRAK3 and IRAK4 sharing structural similarities.

Biological function summary

The IRAK2 protein is critical for transducing signals from interleukin-1 receptors (IL-1R) and Toll-like receptors (TLR) as part of the innate immune response. It does not work alone but as part of the Myddosome complex. This complex formation is essential for signal propagation leading to the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Activation of these pathways initiates inflammatory and immune processes enabling the body to respond to pathogens.

Pathways

IRAK2 integrates into the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway acting as a link between upstream receptor activation and downstream transcription factors. It has strong interactions with other key immune components like MyD88 and TRAF6 within these pathways. Through these links IRAK2 contributes to the orchestration of a coordinated immune defense facilitating the body's capacity to manage microbial infections while maintaining regulatory checks to prevent excessive inflammation.

Defects or dysregulation in IRAK2 function can lead to immune-related diseases. For instance aberrant IRAK2 activity associates with rheumatoid arthritis where it drives inflammatory processes contributing to joint damage. Moreover its involvement in the immune signaling network makes it relevant in sepsis a condition resulting from an overwhelming immune response to infection. In these disorders IRAK2 works in conjunction with other proteins such as IRAK1 and TRAF6 influencing disease progression and symptom manifestation.