Receptor Interacting Protein Kinases (RIPKs) are a family of Ser/Thr/Tyr kinases whose functions, regulation and pathophysiologic roles have remained an enigma for a long time. In recent years, these proteins garnered significant interest due to their roles in regulating a variety of host defense functions including control of inflammatory gene expression, different forms of cell death, and cutaneous and intestinal barrier functions. In addition, there is accumulating evidence that while these kinases seemingly follow typical kinase blueprints, their functioning in cells can take forms that are atypical for protein kinases. Lastly, while these kinases generally belong to distinct areas of innate immune regulation, there are emerging overarching themes that may unify the functions of this kinase family. Our review seeks to discuss the biology of RIPKs, and how typical and atypical features of this family informs the activity of a rapidly growing repertoire of RIPK inhibitors.

受体相互作用蛋白激酶 (RIPK) 是一个丝氨酸/苏氨酸/酪氨酸激酶家族，其功能、调节和病理生理作用长期以来一直是个谜。近年来，这些蛋白质因其在调节多种宿主防御功能（包括控制炎症基因表达、不同形式的细胞死亡以及皮肤和肠道屏障功能）中的作用而引起了极大的兴趣。此外，越来越多的证据表明，虽然这些激酶似乎遵循典型的激酶蓝图，但它们在细胞中的功能可能会采用蛋白激酶的非典型形式。最后，虽然这些激酶通常属于先天免疫调节的不同领域，但出现了可能统一该激酶家族功能的总体主题。