Inhibition of TNF-induced apoptosis by NF-kappa B.
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is an inflammatory cytokine possessing a unique property: it can induce cells to undergo apoptosis. The sensitivity of different cell types to TNF-induced apoptosis can vary dramatically, but most cells become very sensitive upon simultaneous treatment with inhibitors of protein synthesis. It has been suggested therefore that a gene, or set of genes, is induced upon TNF receptor activation that downregulates the apoptosis signal. Recent results have shown that NF-kappa B, a transcription factor activated upon TNF signalling, is at least partly responsible for this effect. These findings have broadened the role of NF-kappa B from that of a regulator of immune and inflammatory responses to include an involvement in the regulation of apoptosis.
Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
D J
DJ
Van Antwerp
S J
SJ
Martin
I M
IM
Verma
D R
DR
Green
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000502:physiology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D016328:NF-kappa B; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha