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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/irak4/

IRAK4 gene

interleukin 1 receptor associated kinase 4

Normal Function

The IRAK4 gene provides instructions for making a protein that plays an important role in innate immunity, which is the body's early, nonspecific response to foreign invaders (pathogens). The IRAK-4 protein is part of a signaling pathway that is involved in early recognition of pathogens and the initiation of inflammation to fight infection.

In particular, the IRAK-4 protein relays signals from proteins called Toll-like receptors and IL-1 receptor-related proteins. As one of the first lines of defense against infection, Toll-like receptors recognize patterns that are common to many pathogens, rather than recognizing specific pathogens, and stimulate a quick immune response. The IL-1 receptor and related proteins recognize immune system proteins called cytokines that signal the need for an immune response. The resulting signaling pathway triggers inflammation, a nonspecific immune response that helps fight infection.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

IRAK-4 deficiency

At least 20 mutations in the IRAK4 gene have been identified in people with IRAK-4 deficiency, an immune system disorder that leads to recurrent invasive bacterial infections. These gene mutations lead to an abnormally short, nonfunctional IRAK-4 protein or no protein at all. The loss of functional IRAK-4 protein blocks the initiation of inflammation in response to pathogens or cytokines that would normally help fight the infections. Because the early immune response is insufficient, bacterial infections occur often and become severe and invasive.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4
  • IPD1
  • IRAK-4
  • IRAK4_HUMAN
  • NY-REN-64
  • REN64

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Li S, Strelow A, Fontana EJ, Wesche H. IRAK-4: a novel member of the IRAK family with the properties of an IRAK-kinase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Apr 16;99(8):5567-72. doi: 10.1073/pnas.082100399. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Medvedev AE, Lentschat A, Kuhns DB, Blanco JC, Salkowski C, Zhang S, Arditi M, Gallin JI, Vogel SN. Distinct mutations in IRAK-4 confer hyporesponsiveness to lipopolysaccharide and interleukin-1 in a patient with recurrent bacterial infections. J Exp Med. 2003 Aug 18;198(4):521-31. doi: 10.1084/jem.20030701. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Picard C, Puel A, Bonnet M, Ku CL, Bustamante J, Yang K, Soudais C, Dupuis S, Feinberg J, Fieschi C, Elbim C, Hitchcock R, Lammas D, Davies G, Al-Ghonaium A, Al-Rayes H, Al-Jumaah S, Al-Hajjar S, Al-Mohsen IZ, Frayha HH, Rucker R, Hawn TR, Aderem A, Tufenkeji H, Haraguchi S, Day NK, Good RA, Gougerot-Pocidalo MA, Ozinsky A, Casanova JL. Pyogenic bacterial infections in humans with IRAK-4 deficiency. Science. 2003 Mar 28;299(5615):2076-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1081902. Epub 2003 Mar 13. Citation on PubMed
  • Suzuki N, Suzuki S, Yeh WC. IRAK-4 as the central TIR signaling mediator in innate immunity. Trends Immunol. 2002 Oct;23(10):503-6. doi: 10.1016/s1471-4906(02)02298-6. Citation on PubMed

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