Aberrant rel/nfkb genes and activity in human cancer

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A Guide to Production, Crystallization, and Structure Determination of Human IKK1/α
11:27

A Guide to Production, Crystallization, and Structure Determination of Human IKK1/α

Published on: November 2, 2018

B Rayet1, C Gélinas

  • 1Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, NJ 08854-5638, USA.

Oncogene
|December 22, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors regulate immune responses and cell growth. Deregulated activity of these factors, including the rel, nfkb, and ikb genes, is linked to cancer development and progression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors are crucial for immune and inflammatory responses, cell proliferation, and apoptosis.
  • Understanding the signaling pathways activating Rel/NF-kappaB and gene expression is advancing.
  • Evidence increasingly links dysregulated Rel/NF-kappaB activity to oncogenesis, supported by viral oncoprotein studies and genetic alterations in human tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors in human malignancies.
  • To examine the status and activity of rel, nfkb, and ikb genes in various cancers.
  • To explore the association between Rel/NF-kappaB activity and cancer onset or progression.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Rel/NF-kappaB signaling in cancer.
  • Analysis of genetic alterations (amplification, overexpression, rearrangement) in rel, nfkb, and ikb genes in human tumors.
  • Examination of persistent nuclear NF-kappaB activity in cancer cells due to signaling pathway activation or IkappaB mutations.

Main Results:

  • Deregulated Rel/NF-kappaB activity is implicated in oncogenesis, with viral oncoproteins showing acute oncogenicity.
  • Genetic abnormalities of Rel/NF-kappaB family genes are observed in numerous human hematopoietic and solid tumors.
  • Constitutive nuclear NF-kappaB activity, driven by signaling kinases or IkappaB mutations, is present in various cancer types.
  • Rel/NF-kappaB activation correlates with cellular gene expression changes driving malignancy and contributes to chemotherapy resistance by controlling apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors play a significant role in the development and progression of human cancers.
  • The status and activity of rel, nfkb, and ikb genes are critical factors in oncogenesis.
  • Targeting Rel/NF-kappaB pathways may offer therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment, particularly in overcoming chemoresistance.

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