TAB3

TAB3 (TAK1-binding protein 3) is a protein encoded by the TAB3 gene in humans. It functions as an adaptor in the TAK1 signaling complex, helping to activate TAK1 (MAP3K7) in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and Toll-like receptor signals. TAB3 associates with TAK1 and collaborates with the other TAK1-binding partners TAB1 and TAB2 to assemble a signaling complex that transduces these stimuli.

Upon activation, TAK1 phosphorylates downstream targets including the IκB kinase (IKK) complex, leading to NF-κB activation, and the MAP kinases p38 and JNK, which drive transcription of inflammatory genes and influence cell survival and stress responses. TAB3, together with TAB1 and TAB2, contributes to the efficiency and specificity of TAK1 signaling in various contexts.

TAB3 is part of a small family of TAB proteins that regulate TAK1 activity. While TAB1 and TAB2 have distinct regulatory features, TAB3 participates in the same signaling axis to modulate inflammatory responses. In terms of expression, TAB3 is broadly expressed in human tissues, with cytoplasmic localization associated with signaling complexes.

Dysregulation of TAK1–TAB signaling has been studied in inflammatory diseases and cancer, making TAB3 a subject of ongoing research as a potential modulator of inflammatory pathways and a component of broader signaling networks in health and disease.