Based on studies in mice, MECP2 represses IRAK1 gene transcription. MECP2-mediated regulation of IRAK1 gene expression may be limited to cortical neurons. IRAK1 is a serine/threonine protein kinase that activates NFKB-mediated transcription. Irak1 is upregulated in the cortex of Mecp2 null mice and some of the Rett syndorome features, such as reduced dendritic complexity and decreased life span, can be ameliorated by attenuation of Nfkb signaling (Kishi et al. 2016). MECP2 may also regulate IRAK1 levels indirectly, by up-regulating microRNA miR-146a, which targets IRAK1 mRNA (Urdinguio et al. 2010).