Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7 (MAP3K7), also known as TAK1, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP3K7 gene. Structure TAK1 is an evolutionarily conserved kinase in the MAP3 K family and clusters with the tyrosine-like and sterile kinase families. The protein structure of TAK1 contains an N (residues 1–104)- and C (residues 111–303)-terminus connected through the hinge region (Met 104-Ser 111). The ATP binding pocket is located in the hinge region of the kinase. Additionally, TAK1 has a catalytic lysine (Lys63) in the active site. Crystal structure of TAK1-ATP have shown that ATP forms two hydrogen bonds with residues Ala 107 and Glu 105. Further hydrogen bonding is observed to Asp 175, which is the leading residue of the DFG motif. This residue is thought to interact with Lys 63 through polar interactions and is catalytically important for phosphate transfer to substrate molecules. Critical for the TAK1-TAB1 complex is a helical loop around Phe 484, which provides extensive surface contact between the two proteins. Signaling The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the serine/threonine protein kinase family. This kinase mediates signal transduction induced by TGF beta and morphogenetic protein (BMP), and controls a variety of cell functions including transcription regulation and apoptosis. TAK1 is a central regulator of cell death and is activated through a diverse set of intra- and extracellular stimuli. TAK1 regulates cell survival not solely through NF-κB but also through NF-κB-independent pathways such as oxidative stress and receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) kinase activity-dependent pathway. In response to IL-1, this protein forms a kinase complex including TRAF6, MAP3K7P1/TAB1 and MAP3K7P2/TAB2; this complex is required for the activation of nuclear factor kappa B. This kinase can also activate MAPK8/JNK, MAP2K4/MKK4, and thus plays a role in the cell response to environmental stresses. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.] In addition to IL-1 agonist activation, TAK1has been shown to be activated following TNF, TGFB, and LPS stimulation leading to the activation of pro-inflammatory pathways. Following TNF stimulation, TAK1 forms a ternary structure with TAB1 and TAB2/3 to form a fully activated TAK1 kinase. Following activation, TAK1 phosphorylates downstream effectors such as NFKB, p38 and cJUN leading the up-regulation of pro inflammatory pro survival genes. Role in autoimmune diseases This kinase has also been shown to regulate downstream cytokine expression such as TNF. Due to its regulation