TRAFs (TNF receptor associated proteins) form a family of cytoplasmic adapter proteins that mediate signal transduction from many members of the TNF-receptor superfamily and the interleukin-1 receptor. The carboxy-terminal region of TRAFs is required for self-association and interaction with receptor cytoplasmic domains following ligand-induced oligomerization. Recent molecular cloning studies have lead to identification of six TRAFs (TRAF1-TRAF6). Recently it has been shown that TRANCE/OPGL activates the antiapoptotic serine/threonine kinase Akt/PKB thro
