Control of apoptosis by Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors.
Apoptosis is a physiological process critical for organ development, tissue homeostasis, and elimination of defective or potentially dangerous cells in complex organisms. Apoptosis can be initiated by a wide variety of stimuli, which activate a cell suicide program that is constitutively present in most vertebrate cells. In diverse cell types, Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors have been shown to have a role in regulating the apoptotic program, either as essential for the induction of apoptosis or, perhaps more commonly, as blockers of apoptosis. Whether Rel/NF-kappaB promotes or inhibits apoptosis appears to depend on the specific cell type and the type of inducer. An understanding of the role of Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors in controlling apoptosis may lead to the development of therapeutics for a wide variety of human diseases, including neurodegenerative and immune diseases, and cancer.
Barkett
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Boston University, Biology Department, 5 Cummington Street, Boston, Massachusetts, MA 02215, USA.
Gilmore
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TD
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002453:Cell Cycle; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D014779:Virus Replication
D016328:NF-kappa B; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha