Transcription Factors Rel/NF-kB and their Biological Functions

Overview

The gene family of ubiquitous transcriptional factors Rel/NF-kB participates in several critical cellular events ultimately influencing the fate of a cell. In the cytoplasm of all eukaryotic cells, the Rel/NF-kB proteins occur bound to their inhibitors, the IkB proteins. When stimulated, they become phosphorylated and degraded by 26S proteasom releasing Rel/NF-kB. Active Rel/NF-kB heterodimers then enter the nucleus, bind to a -kB coupling element and start transcription of kB-regulated array of genes involved in immune, antiapoptotic and inflammatory events. Part of the pharmacological effects of glucocorticoids, acetylosalicylic acid an ibuprofen may stand on influencing the Rel/NF-kB pathway. New compounds with cytotoxic and immunomodulatory properties acting specifically on the cascade of Rel/NF-kB signaling system are expected to be synthesized.

Key words:
Rel/NF-signal system, tumorogenesis, apoptosis, Myc protein, Bcl-3 gene, p52 protein, p300-CREB co complex, virus , stress, environmental contaminants, cytotherapy, steroids.