IκB kinase γ/nuclear factor-κB-essential modulator (IKKγ/NEMO) facilitates RhoA GTPase activation, which, in turn, activates Rho-associated KINASE (ROCK) to phosphorylate IKKβ in response to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 plays several roles in a variety of cellular functions. TGF-β1 transmits its signal through Smad transcription factor-dependent and -independent pathways. It was reported that TGF-β1 activates NF-κB and RhoA, and RhoA activates NF-κB in several kinds of cells in a Smad-independent pathway.