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.