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NF-κB Overview

Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) protein was first discovered by David Baltimore. This protein family can selectively bind to B-cell κ-light chain enhancers to regulate the expression of many genes. The NF-κB signaling pathway is caused by extracellular stimuli. Extracellular signaling factors bind to receptors on the cell membrane, initiating a cascade of downstream reactions. The receptor protein activates IκB kinase (IKK) after receiving stimulation. IKK phosphorylates the serine of the IκB Serine phosphorylation node of the intracellular NF-κB·IκB complex, resulting in ubiquitination of the IκB subunit, which is then degraded by a protease to release the NF-κB dimer. Free NF-κB enters the nucleus and binds to genes with NF-κB binding sites, initiating the transcription process. NF-κB can also activate the expression of the IκBα gene, and the newly synthesized IκBα can inhibit the activity of NF-κB again, thus forming a spontaneous negative feedback loop. This design principle will cause the phenomenon of NF-κB oscillation. NF-κB is found in almost all animal cells and is involved in cell response to external stimuli such as cytokines, radiation, heavy metals, viruses, etc. NF-κB plays a key role in cellular inflammation and immune response. Misregulation of NF-κB causes autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and many cancers. NF-κB is also involved in synaptic plasticity and memory.

List of NF-κB