NF-kappa-B is a pleiotropic transcription factor which is present in almost all cell types and is involved in many biological processed such as inflammation, immunity, differentiation, cell growth, tumorigenesis and apoptosis. NF-kappa-B is a homo- or heterodimeric complex formed by the Rel-like domain-containing proteins RELA/p65, RELB, NF-KB1/p105, NF-KB1/p50, REL and NF-KB2/p52. The dimers bind at kappa-B sites in the DNA of their target genes and the individual dimers have distinct preferences for different kappa-B sites that they can bind with distinguishable affinity and specificity. Different dimer combinations act as transcriptional activators or repressors, respectively. Shin HM, et al. (2006) EMBO J, 25(1): 129-138. Li Q, et al. (2005) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 102(35): 12425-12430. Chen C, et al. (2000) Mol Cell Biol, 20(8): 2687-2695.
