Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
11:27
A Guide to Production, Crystallization, and Structure Determination of Human IKK1/α
Published on: November 2, 2018
Post-translational modifications regulating the activity and function of the nuclear factor kappa B pathway
1Division of Gene Regulation and Expression, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK. n.d.perkins@dundee.ac.uk
Oncogene
|October 31, 2006
Summary
The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway is tightly regulated by various post-translational modifications. Understanding these modifications is crucial for insights into health, disease, and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Signaling
- Immunology
Background:
- The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway plays critical roles in cellular functions.
- Aberrant regulation of NF-kappaB signaling is linked to severe health consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the regulatory mechanisms controlling NF-kappaB pathway activity.
- To highlight the role of post-translational modifications in NF-kappaB signaling.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on NF-kappaB pathway regulation.
- Analysis of various post-translational modifications impacting NF-kappaB signaling components.
Main Results:
- NF-kappaB activity is modulated by multiple post-translational modifications including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, acetylation, sumoylation, and nitrosylation.
- These modifications affect core NF-kappaB signaling components: IKK complex, IkappaB proteins, and NF-kappaB subunits.
- The effects of modifications are stimulus-dependent and context-specific, sometimes yielding antagonistic outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Detailed understanding of NF-kappaB regulatory modifications offers insights into biological mechanisms.
- These pathways represent potential targets for novel drug development.
- Biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting pathological conditions may emerge from studying NF-kappaB regulation.
Related Concept Videos
02:26NF-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...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
02:04Co-activators and Co-repressors
Gene transcription is regulated by the synergistic action of several proteins that form a complex at a gene regulatory site. This is observed in eukaryotes, where the regulation of gene expression is a complex process. Regulatory proteins in eukaryotes can broadly be classified into two types – regulators that bind directly to specific DNA sequences and co-regulators that associate with regulatory proteins but cannot directly bind to the DNA. These co-regulators are further divided into...
02:04Co-activators and Co-repressors
Gene transcription is regulated by the synergistic action of several proteins that form a complex at a gene regulatory site. This is observed in eukaryotes, where the regulation of gene expression is a complex process. Regulatory proteins in eukaryotes can broadly be classified into two types – regulators that bind directly to specific DNA sequences and co-regulators that associate with regulatory proteins but cannot directly bind to the DNA. These co-regulators are further divided into...
01:45Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
Nuclear protein sorting regulates nucleus composition and gene expression, crucial for determining the fate of a eukaryotic cell. Hence, the entry and exit of molecules across the nuclear envelope is a tightly controlled process. Nuclear protein sorting can be inhibited by one of the following ways: 1) masking cargo signal sequences, 2) modifying the nuclear receptor's affinity for cargo, 3) controlling the nuclear pore size, 4) retaining the cargo during its transit to the cytosol or the...
02:04Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...