Transcription factor NF-kappaB: a sensor for smoke and stress signals.
Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is a transcription factor that resides in the cytoplasm of every cell and translocates to the nucleus when activated. Its activation is induced by a wide variety of agents including stress, cigarette smoke, viruses, bacteria, inflammatory stimuli, cytokines, free radicals, carcinogens, tumor promoters, and endotoxins. On activation, NF-kappaB regulates the expression of almost 400 different genes, which include enzymes (e.g., COX-2, 5-LOX, and iNOS), cytokines (such as TNF, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and chemokines), adhesion molecules, cell cycle regulatory molecules, viral proteins, and angiogenic factors. The constitutive activation of NF-kappaB has been linked with a wide variety of human diseases, including asthma, atherosclerosis, AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. Several agents are known to suppress NF-kappaB activation, including Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-13, and IL-10), interferons, endocrine hormones (LH, HCG, MSH, and GH), phytochemicals, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive agents. Because of the strong link of NF-kappaB with different stress signals, it has been called a "smoke-sensor" of the body.
Ahn
Kwang Seok
KS
Cytokine Research Laboratory, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Aggarwal
Bharat B
BB
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*
D016207:Cytokines; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; D016328:NF-kappa B; D014157:Transcription Factors