IkB

The inflammatory response consists of a complex network of signaling pathways that regulate a diverse set of cytokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules, and transcription factors (1). Of the proinflammatory signaling pathways the NF-kB family is particularly well studied for its role in apoptosis, cancer, and the development and maintenance of the immune system (1). The family consists of the transcription factors p50, p52, RelA (p65), RelB, and c-Rel.

IKK beta, also known as IKK2, activates the NFkB complex by phosphorylating the NFkB inhibitor, IkBa. Several transcript variants, some protein-coding and some not, have been found for IKKB. The Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-kB) family of transcription factors regulates the expression of a wide range of genes critical for immune and inflammatory responses, cell survival, immune development, and cell proliferation (1). NF-kB was firstly identified by Dr.