The nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-kappa B).

Introduction. - The transcription factor NF-kappa B is a key regulator of g enes involved in responses to infection, inflammation and stress. It was fi rst identified as a protein with ADN-binding activity specific for the 10-b ase-pair kappa B site in the immunoglobulin k light-chain enhancer of B lym phocytes. Current knowledge and key points. - NF-kappa B is normally present in the c ell cytoplasm bound to an inhibitory I kappa B protein. The nuclear localiz ation signal (NLS) in NF-kappa B is a short amino acid signal sequence invo lved in nuclear transport. Inducers of NF-kappa activation trigger dissocia tion and degradation of I kappa B from the NF-kappa B complex. This allows NF-kappa B to translocate to the nucleus and bind to kappa B DNA sires, Rep ression of NF-kappa B dependent gene expression is one of the the major ele ments of immunosuppression by glucocorticoids. Futures prospects and projects. - Endothelial cells at sites of inflammator y responses express a variety of genes that are under the control of nuclea r factor NF-kappa B. This transcriptional factor with its inhibitors may be linked in an autoregulatory system that carl be activated by multiple sign als relevant to vascular pathophysiology. NF-kappa B is therefore an obviou s target for new types of anti-inflammation treatment. (C) 1998 Elsevier, P aris.