NF-kB p65 Monoclonal Antibody

Background

Transcription factors of the nuclear factor k B (NF-kB)/Rel family is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that regulates many cytokine and Ig genes. It is involved in immune, inflammatory, viral, and acute phase responses. There are five family members in mammals: RelA (p65), c-Rel, RelB, NF-kB1 (p105/p50) and NF-kB2 (p100/p52). The most studied NF-kB complex consists of the p50 and p65 subunits, both containing a 300 amino acid region with homology to the Rel proto-oncogene product. The p50 subunit binds DNA, whereas the p65 subunit is responsible for the interaction of NF-kB with its inhibitor, IkB. In most cell types, the p50/p65 heterodimer is located within the cytoplasm complexed to IkB. This complex prevents nuclear translocation and activity of NF-kB. In response to stimuli such as cytokines, LPS, and viral infections, IkB is phosphorylated at critical residues. This phosphorylation induces dissociation of the IkB/NF-kB complex, allowing the free heterodimeric NF-kB to form a heterotetramer that translocates to the nucleus. In the nucleus, it binds to the kB site within promoters and enhancers and functions as a transcriptional activator.