Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors: key mediators of B-cell activation

The Rel/nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B family of transcription factors have be en implicated in the regulation of a wide variety of genes, in particular t hose encoding proteins crucial to the function of the immune system. Throug h the use of mutant mice that lack one or more of these proteins, we have b egun to examine the individual and combined roles of Rel, RelA and NF-kappa B1 in B-cell development and function. Here we outline and discuss how the se transcription factors operate as differentiation stage-specific regulato rs of B-cell development, survival, division and immunoglobulin expression, emphasizing those Rel/NF-kappa B-regulated genes that mediate these functi ons.