TANK: Proteins and Enzymes

Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-associated Factor (TRAF) Family Member-associated NF-kappa B Activator (TANK) is a 425 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 48 kDa. Three isoforms of TANK have been identified in humans. Mouse and rat TANK share 82% and 81% amino acid sequence identity with the human protein, respectively. TANK is ubiquitously expressed and maintains TRAF-1, TRAF-2, and TRAF-3 proteins in their latent states by binding to their TRAF-c domains. TANK may function as an adaptor molecule in multiple antiviral pathways including those activated by TLR3 and TLR4. TANK is also a negative regulator of osteoclastogenesis and thereby modulates bone homeostasis.