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Abstract
The mammalian Rel/NF-kappaB family of transcription factors, including RelA, c-Rel,
RelB, NF-kappaB1 (p50 and its precursor p105), and NF-kappaB2 (p52 and its precursor
p100), plays a central role in the immune system by regulating several processes ranging
from the development and survival of lymphocytes and lymphoid organs to the control
of immune responses and malignant transformation. The five members of the NF-kappaB
family are normally kept inactive in the cytoplasm by interaction with inhibitors
called IkappaBs or the unprocessed forms of NF-kappaB1 and NF-kappaB2. A wide variety
of signals emanating from antigen receptors, pattern-recognition receptors, receptors
for the members of TNF and IL-1 cytokine families, and others induce differential
activation of NF-kappaB heterodimers. Although work over the past two decades has
shed significant light on the regulation of NF-kappaB transcription factors and their
functions, much progress has been made in the past two years revealing new insights
into the regulation and functions of NF-kappaB. This recent progress is covered in
this review.
[1
]Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Departments of Pharmacology
and Pathology, Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, California 93093;
email: