Identification and characterization of murine IRAK-M.

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated-kinases (IRAKs) are signal transduction mediators of the Toll/IL-1 receptor family, which comprise several transmembrane proteins involved in host defense mechanisms. Today four different human IRAKs (hu-IRAK-1, hu-IRAK-2, hu-IRAK-M, hu-IRAK-4) and two murine IRAKs (mouse pelle like kinase (mPLK) and mu-IRAK-4) have been described. Here we report the identification and characterization of murine IRAK-M (mu-IRAK-M), a mouse homologue to human IRAK-M (hu-IRAK-M). These IRAK-M molecules show 71% sequence identity, a comparable cellular expression, and functional similarities with respect to signal transduction capacity and kinase activity, suggesting functional homology in signalling in human and mouse cells.