Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026

A Guide to Production, Crystallization, and Structure Determination of Human IKK1/α
Published on: November 2, 2018
NF-κB, IκB, and IKK: Integral Components of Immune System Signaling
Maria Carmen Mulero1, Tom Huxford2, Gourisankar Ghosh3
1Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
Abstract:
The NF-κB (Nuclear Factor kappa B) transcription factor plays crucial roles in the regulation of numerous biological processes including development of the immune system, inflammation, and innate and adaptive immune responses. Control over the immune cell functions of NF-κB results from signaling through one of two different routes: the canonical and noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways. Present at the end of both pathways are the proteins NF-κB, IκB, and the IκB kinase (IKK). These proteins work together to deliver the myriad outcomes that influence context-dependent transcriptional control in immune cells. In the present chapter, we review the structural information available on NF-κB, IκB, and IKK, the critical terminal components of the NF-κB signaling, in relation to their physiological function.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Activation of Integrins
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...

