Adapter protein which binds TBK1 and IKBKE playing a role in antiviral innate immunity. Activates serine/threonine-protein kinase TBK1 and facilitates its oligomerization. Enhances the phosphorylation of NF-kappa-B p65 subunit RELA by TBK1. Promotes TBK1-induced as well as TNF-alpha or PMA-induced activation of NF-kappa-B. Participates in IFNB promoter activation via TICAM1. Homodimer (PubMed:17568778). Interacts with IKBKE and TBK1 (PubMed:17568778). Interacts with TICAM1 (By similarity). Testis, ovary, heart, lung, kidney and brain. Expressed mainly in the spermatocytes or spermatids in the testis. By 5-azacytidine. Ubiquitinated via 'Lys-48'-linked polyubiquitination by TRIM38, leading to its degradation. May be produced at very low levels due to a premature stop codon in the mRNA, leading to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.