Embryonic fibroblasts and B cells derived from TAK1-deficient mice show reduced NF-kappaB, JNK and p38 activation in response to various TLR ligands. Furthermore, ERK1 and ERK2 activation was also reduced in TAK1-deficient mouse B cells [Sato S et al 2005].

Although there are no experimental data showing a TAK1 functional role in chicken innate immune response, its kinase activity was demonstrated to be essential for BCR (B cell antigen receptor)-mediated IKK and JNK activation in chicken DT40 B cells [Shinohara H et al 2005]. When BCR-mediated NF-kappaB activation was abolished, JNK phosphorylation was completely abolished, while ERK was activated normally in a TAK1-deficient chicken DT40 B cell line.

Thus, TAK1 is believed to activate the IKK complex that leads to NF-kappaB activation. Also TAK1 phosphorylates members of the MAP kinase kinase family, MKK4, MKK3 and MKK6, which subsequently activate JNK and p38. ERK is also activated in response to TLR ligands through the activation of MEK1 and MEK2, although an upstream kinase activating MEK1 and MEK2 in TLR signaling remains unknown.