A Role for NF-κB in the Induction of β-R1 by Interferon-β

Abstract

Previous experiments have suggested that induction of the β-R1 gene by interferon (IFN)-β required transcription factor ISGF-3 (IFN-stimulated gene factor-3) and an additional component. We now provide evidence that nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) can serve as this component. Site-directed mutagenesis of an NF-κB binding site in the β-R1 promoter or over-expression of an IκBα super-repressor abrogated IFN-β-mediated induction of a β-R1 promoter-reporter. IFN-β treatment did not augment abundance of NF-κB but did lead to phosphorylation of the p65 NF-κB subunit. It is proposed that IFN-β-mediated enhancement of the transactivation competence of NF-κB components is required for inducible transcription of the β-R1 promoter. These results provide a novel insight into the role of NF-κB in the transcriptional response to IFN-β.