8.A.43.1.22
Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adapter protein, TIRAP or MAL, of 221 aas. It is an adapter involved in TLR2 and TLR4 signaling pathways in the innate immune response. It acts via IRAK2 and TRAF-6, leading to the activation of NF-kappa-B and resulting in cytokine secretion and the inflammatory response (Nagpal et al. 2009). Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an essential role in the detection and elimination of invading microbes. They are type-1 transmembrane receptors, containing extracellular leucine rich repeats and an intracellular TIR domain. Upon stimulation, these receptors interact with specific TIR domain-containing adaptor proteins. Five such adaptors are present in mammals (McGettrick and O'Neill 2004).