RAC-3 is a NF-kappa B coactivator

It has been shown that the molecular mechanism by which cytokines and glucocorticoids mutually antagonize their functions involves a mutual glucocorticoid receptor (GR)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) transrepression. Here we report a role for the nuclear receptor coactivator RAC3, in modulating NF-kappa B transactivation. We found that RAC3 functions as a coactivator by binding to the active form of NF-kappa B and that overexpression of RAC3 restores GR-dependent transcription neglecting GR/NF-kappa B transrepression. The competition between GR and NF-kappa B for binding to RAC3 may represent a general mechanism by which both transcription factors mutually antagonize their activity.