In the search for novel targets that contribute to the initiation and progression of NAFLD in the context of obesity, we recently identified STE20-type kinase TAOK3 (Thousand and One Kinase 3; also known as MAP3K18, JIK, or DPK) as a critical regulator of the dynamic metabolic balance of hepatocellular lipid storage vs. lipid utilization. Here, TAOK3 is linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.