TNF Receptor Associated Factor 2 (TRAF2)

TRAF2 directly interacts with TNF receptors, and forms complexes with other TRAF proteins. TRAF2 is required for TNF-alpha-mediated activation of MAPK8/JNK and NF-kappaB. The protein complex formed by TRAF2 and TRAF1 interacts with the IAP family members cIAP1 and cIAP2, and functions as a mediator of the anti-apoptotic signals from TNF receptors. The interaction of this protein with TRADD, a TNF receptor associated apoptotic signal transducer, ensures the recruitment of IAPs for the direct inhibition of caspase activation. cIAP1 can unbiquitinate and induce the degradation of this protein, and thus potentiate TNF-induced apoptosis. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene, but the biological validity of only one transcript has been determined.