Control of apoptosis by Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors

Apoptosis is a physiological process critical for organ development, tissue homeostasis, and elimination of defective or potentially dangerous cells i n complex organisms. Apoptosis can be initiated by a wide variety of stimul i, which activate a cell suicide program that is constitutively present in most vertebrate cells. In diverse cell types, Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors have been shown to have a role in regulating the apoptotic program, either as essential for the induction of apoptosis or, perhaps more common ly, as blockers of apoptosis. Whether Rel/NF-kappa B promotes or inhibits a poptosis appears to depend on the specific cell type and the type of induce r. An understanding of the role of Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors in controlling apoptosis may lead to the development of therapeutics for a wid e variety of human diseases, including neurodegenerative and immune disease s, and cancer.