IRAKs (interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase) are important mediators in the signal transduction of the Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) family. Members of the TIR family aid in innate immune responses by coordinating host defense mechanisms. IRAK4 is the most recently discovered IRAK protein, and has been shown to interact with IRAK-1 and TRAF6 in an IL-1-dependent manner. Overexpression of IRAK4 has been shown to activate NFkB as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Studies demonstrate that mice lacking IRAK4 are severely impaired in their IL-1 and Toll-like receptor signaling, and also in response to viral and bacterial challenges, indicating IRAK4’s role in innate immunity.
The polyclonal IRAK4 antibody is reactive in humans, and has been tested in Western blotting and immunofluorescence on human HeLa cell lysates. Based upon amino-acid homology, reactivity with mouse and rat is expected.
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