NF-kB signaling pathway
The NF-κB (Nuclear Factor-kappa B) signaling pathway is a crucial intracellular signaling cascade that plays a vital role in regulating a variety of biological processes, including immune responses, inflammation, cell survival, proliferation, and apoptosis.
1. NF-κB Family Members: The NF-κB family includes several proteins, such as NF-κB1 (p50), NF-κB2 (p52), RelA (p65), RelB, and c-Rel, which can form dimers and function as transcription factors.
2. Signal Transduction Process: In a resting state, NF-κB is bound to IκB (inhibitory protein) and sequestered in the cytoplasm. When the cell receives an activation signal, the IKK (IκB Kinase) complex is activated, which then phosphorylates the IκB protein.
3. IκB Degradation: After phosphorylation, IκB protein is ubiquitinated and degraded by the 26S proteasome, releasing the NF-κB dimer.
4. Nuclear Translocation: The released NF-κB dimer translocates to the nucleus, where it binds to specific DNA sequences (κB sites), activating or repressing the transcription of target genes.
5. Canonical and Non-canonical Pathways: There are two main activation pathways for the NF-κB signaling pathway, the canonical pathway, and the non-canonical pathway. The canonical pathway involves the activation of p50 and p65, while the non-canonical pathway involves the activation of p52 and RelB.
6. Biological Functions: Genes regulated by the NF-κB signaling pathway are involved in a variety of biological processes, including immune responses, inflammatory reactions, cell proliferation, and anti-apoptosis.
7. Relationship with Diseases: Abnormal activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway is associated with a variety of diseases, including inflammatory diseases, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
8. Therapeutic Potential: Due to its role in a multitude of pathological processes, NF-κB has become an attractive target for drug development, especially in the fields of cancer and inflammatory treatment.
Drug Targets
