Cancer: NF-κB regulates energy metabolism.
NF-κB transcription factors are evolutionarily conserved, central coordinators of immune and inflammatory responses. They also play a pivotal role in oncogenesis. NF-κB exerts these functions by regulating the transcription of genes encoding many immunoregulators, inflammatory mediators and inhibitors of apoptosis. Several studies during the past few years have also underscored the key role of the IKK/NF-κB pathway in the induction and maintenance of the state of inflammation that underlies metabolic pathologies such as obesity, insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes, reflecting the co-evolution and integration of nutrient- and pathogen-sensing systems. Recent reports, however, are revealing an even more intimate, direct connection between NF-κB and metabolism. These studies demonstrate that NF-κB regulates energy homeostasis via direct engagement of the cellular networks governing glycolysis and respiration, with profound implications that extend beyond metabolic pathologies, to cellular physiology, cancer, and anti-cancer therapy. In this review article, we discuss these emerging metabolic functions of NF-κB and their significance to oncogenesis and cancer treatment.
Section of Inflammation and Signal Transduction, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
Marta
M
Moretti
Jason
J
Bennett
Laura
L
Tornatore
Anil K
AK
Thotakura
Guido
G
Franzoso
D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D016328:NF-kappa B