Crystal structure of TRAF6 in complex with TRAF6-binding sites from CD40 was previously determined. The structure revealed a distinct TRAF6-binding groove of CD40, the key structural determinant of interaction. The structural information leads to a proposed TRAF6-binding motif. This allows the identification of TRAF6-binding sequences in the hIRAK protein, whose functional requirement in IL-1/Toll-like receptor superfamilies-mediated signal transduction is further demonstrated using site-directed mutagenesis. The mutational effects of hIRAK on the down-stream NF-kB signaling shows the importance of the TRAF6 interface for signaling by IL-1/Toll-like receptor superfamilies.