title: Aberrant rel/nfkb genes and activity in human cancer.
abstract: Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors are key regulators of immune, inflammatory and acute phase responses and are also implicated in the control of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Remarkable progress has been made in understanding the signal transduction pathways that lead to the activation of Rel/NF-kappaB factors and the consequent induction of gene expression. Evidence linking deregulated Rel/NF-kappaB activity to oncogenesis in mammalian systems has emerged in recent years, consistent with the acute oncogenicity of the viral oncoprotein v-Rel in animal models. Chromosomal amplification, overexpression and rearrangement of genes coding for Rel/NF-kappaB factors have been noted in many human hematopoietic and solid tumors. Persistent nuclear NF-kappaB activity was also described in several human cancer cell types, as a result of constitutive activation of upstream signaling kinases or mutations inactivating inhibitory IkappaB subunits. Studies point to a correlation between the activation of cellular gene expression by Rel/NF-kappaB factors and their participation in the malignant process. Experiments implicating NF-kappaB in the control of the apoptotic response also support a role in oncogenesis and in the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapy. This review focuses on the status of the rel, nfkb and ikb genes and their activity in human tumors and their association with the onset or progression of malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, NJ 08854-5638, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rayet
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gélinas
mesh_terms: D000081242:B-Cell Lymphoma 3 Protein; D002455:Cell Division; D002470:Cell Survival; D005784:Gene Amplification; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D020569:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-rel / Q000235:genetics; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D051841:Transcription Factor RelB; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000081242:B-Cell Lymphoma 3 Protein; C000631344:BCL3 protein, human; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D020569:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-rel; C497593:RELB protein, human; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051841:Transcription Factor RelB