[Nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-kappa B)].
BACKGROUND
The transcription factor NF-kappa B is a key regulator of genes involved in responses to infection, inflammation and stress. It was first identified as a protein with ADN-binding activity specific for the 10-base-pair kappa B site in the immunoglobulin k light-chain enhancer of B lymphocytes.


BACKGROUND
NF-kappa B is normally present in the cell cytoplasm bound to an inhibitory I kappa B protein. The nuclear localization signal (NLS) in NF-kappa B is a short amino acid signal sequence involved in nuclear transport. Inducers of NF-kappa activation trigger dissociation and degradation of I kappa B from the NF-kappa B complex. This allows NF-kappa B to translocate to the nucleus and bind to kappa B DNA sites. Repression of NF-kappa B dependent gene expression is one of the major elements of immunosuppression by glucocorticoids. FUTURES PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: Endothelial cells at sites of inflammatory responses express a variety of genes that are under the control of nuclear factor NF-kappa B. This transcriptional factor with its inhibitors may be linked in an autoregulatory system that can be activated by multiple signals relevant to vascular pathophysiology. NF-kappa B is therefore an obvious target for new types of anti-inflammatory treatment.
Mercié
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Laboratoire d'hématologie, université Victor-Segalen-Bordeaux, France.
Seigneur
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Bilhou-Nabera
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Boisseau
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Bernard
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P
D004727:Endothelium / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014178:Translocation, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D016328:NF-kappa B