Showing papers by "Keith A. Brown published in 1995"

NF-κB: A Mediator of Pathogen and Stress Responses

Abstract: The transcription factor NF-κB is a central regulator of defensive responses which are mounted by cells against many potentially threatening environmental challenges. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, injury, radiation, oxidative stress, numerous chemical agents and many cytokines released in response to such challenges are all well-studied and potent activators of this transcription factor in a number of different cell types. Activated NF-κB then induces the expression of many genes whose encoded functions play critical roles for the defense of the organism. The induced proteins have a wide range of activities, including antibacterial or anti-viral functions, antigen recognition, cellular migration and adhesion as well as hematopoietic cell differentiation and proliferation. Aside from regulating cellular genes, several viruses, including the human immunodeficiency virus, have diverted this factor for their own purposes. Since many cytokines are regulated by NF-κB, this transcription factor appears critical to a coordinated defense response. In an evolutionary sense, the association between defensive responses and NF-κB dates at least as far back as insects.