NF-kappaB as a primary regulator of the stress response

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Methods to Classify Cytoplasmic Foci as Mammalian Stress Granules
09:33

Methods to Classify Cytoplasmic Foci as Mammalian Stress Granules

Published on: May 12, 2017

F Mercurio1, A M Manning

  • 1Signal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 5555 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, California, CA 92121, USA.

Oncogene
|November 11, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) mediates cellular stress responses by regulating gene expression. This review explores how NF-kappaB achieves stimulus-specific gene activation despite its broad role.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Signaling
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is a key transcription factor activated by diverse cellular stressors.
  • NF-kappaB regulates a wide range of genes critical for cellular responses.
  • The precise mechanisms controlling stimulus-specific NF-kappaB target gene activation remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on NF-kappaB pathway regulation.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying stimulus-specific NF-kappaB activation.
  • To understand how specificity is achieved in gene expression despite broad NF-kappaB induction.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on NF-kappaB signaling.
  • Analysis of studies investigating NF-kappaB-responsive gene subsets.
  • Exploration of regulatory mechanisms conferring specificity.

Main Results:

  • NF-kappaB activation is induced by various internal and external threats.
  • NF-kappaB controls a broad spectrum of genes, indicating its role in cellular stress.
  • Specific cellular contexts and stimuli dictate the subset of NF-kappaB genes activated.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding NF-kappaB specificity is crucial for deciphering cellular stress responses.
  • Recent advances shed light on how stimulus-specific gene activation by NF-kappaB is achieved.
  • Further research into NF-kappaB regulatory mechanisms will advance knowledge of cellular defense.

More Related Videos

Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding09:12

Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding

Published on: November 14, 2018

Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans10:36

Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans

Published on: May 21, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response01:31

Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response

Inositol-requiring kinase one or IRE1 is the most conserved eukaryotic unfolded protein response (UPR) receptor. It is a type I transmembrane protein kinase receptor with a distinctive site-specific RNase activity. As the binding mechanics of the misfolded proteins with the N-terminal domain of IRE-1 are unclear, three binding models — direct, indirect, and allosteric -- are proposed for receptor activation. Nevertheless, it is known that once a misfolded protein associates with IRE1, it...
NF-kB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-kB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Physiological Foundation of Stress01:24

Physiological Foundation of Stress

Stress triggers a coordinated physiological response involving the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This dual activation ensures that the body is prepared for both immediate and prolonged stress management. The process begins with the perception of a stressor. This initial phase activates the SNS, leading to the rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the adrenal glands.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Other Stress Responses in Bacteria01:30

Other Stress Responses in Bacteria

Bacteria have global regulatory systems that control several types of stress mechanisms. These include Pho regulon and the heat shock response, which are essential systems for environmental adaptation, such as nutrient limitation and proteotoxic stress. The Pho regulon and the heat shock response exemplify bacterial resilience, enabling rapid adaptation to fluctuating environmental conditions.Pho RegulonBacteria require phosphorus for essential cellular processes, including nucleic acid...