title: Activators and target genes of Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors.
abstract: The vertebrate transcription factor NF-kappaB is induced by over 150 different stimuli. Active NF-kappaB, in turn, participates in the control of transcription of over 150 target genes. Because a large variety of bacteria and viruses activate NF-kappaB and because the transcription factor regulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, immunoreceptors, and cell adhesion molecules, NF-kappaB has often been termed a 'central mediator of the human immune response'. This article contains a complete listing of all NF-kappaB inducers and target genes described to date. The collected data argue that NF-kappaB functions more generally as a central regulator of stress responses. In addition, NF-kappaB activation blocks apoptosis in several cell types. Coupling stress responsiveness and anti-apoptotic pathways through the use of a common transcription factor may result in increased cell survival following stress insults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Anesthesiology, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Pahl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D004247:DNA