The regulation of NF-кB Subunits by Phosphorylation

Abstract

The NF-кB transcription factor is the master regulator of the inflammatory response and is essential for the homeostasis of the immune system. NF-кB regulates the transcription of genes that control inflammation, immune cell development, cell cycle, proliferation, and cell death. The fundamental role that NF-кB plays in key physiological processes makes it an important factor in determining health and disease. The importance of NF-кB in tissue homeostasis and immunity has frustrated therapeutic approaches aimed at inhibiting NF-кB activation. However, significant research efforts have revealed the crucial contribution of NF-кB phosphorylation to controlling NF-кB directed transactivation. Importantly, NF-кB phosphorylation controls transcription in a gene-specific manner, offering new opportunities to selectively target NF-кB for therapeutic benefit. This review will focus on the phosphorylation of the NF-кB subunits and the impact on NF-кB function.