NF-κB regulation in the immune system

Abstract
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) has a seminal role in immunity. Aberrant NF-κB activity is associated with various inflammatory diseases. NF-κB activation is controlled by its cellular localization through its association with inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) proteins. This is achieved by a dynamic shuttling of latent NF-κB–IκBα complexes between the cytoplasm and nucleus. Most of the pathways that result in NF-κB activation converge on activating the IκB kinase (IKK) complex. Subsequently, IKK phosphorylates IκB, resulting in the degradation of IκB and the release of NF-κB, which translocates to the nucleus to bind specific DNA sequences. Additional signalling pathways are required for NF-κB transactivation by modification of its phosphorylation sites. NF-κB pathways provide many targets for developing specific drugs to treat inflammatory diseases.