IkappaB kinase epsilon interacts with p52 and promotes transactivation via p65

The members of the NF-kappaB transcription factor family are key regulators of gene expression in the immune response. Different combinations of NF-kappaB subunits not only diverge in timing to induce transcription but also recognize varying sequences of the NF-kappaB-binding site of their target genes. The p52 subunit is generated as a result of processing of NF-kappaB2 p100. Here, we demonstrate that the non-canonical IkappaB kinase epsilon (IKKepsilon) directly interacts with p100. In a transactivation assay, IKKepsilon promoted the ability of p52 to transactivate gene expression. This effect was indirect, requiring p65, which was shown to be part of the IKKepsilon-p52 complex and to be phosphorylated by IKKepsilon. These novel interactions reveal a hitherto unknown function of IKKepsilon in the regulation of the alternative NF-kappaB activation pathway involving p52 and p65.