Research progress of the structure and function of NF-κB and IκB in different animal groups.

The mammalian nuclear transcription factors NF-κB (Nuclear factor of kappa B) family plays a central role in the immune system, and participates in immune response, tumorigenesis and apoptosis by regulating the genes involved in the development and survival of lymphocytes. Inhibitor of kappa B (IκB) is an inhibitor of NF-κB, which keeps NF-κB in inactive state. When cells are stimulated by external signals, activated IκB is phosphated after a series of signal transmission, and then releases the NF-κB heterodimers that migrate into the nucleus and regulate gene expression.

Next-generation sequencing yields the complete mitochondrial genome of the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus.

Fundulus heteroclitus (Actinopteri, Cyprinodontiformes, Fundulidae), with a remarkable tolerance to osmotic stress and water temperatures, are regarded as a significant evolution model. Herein, we report the assembled complete sequence of the mummichog mitochondrial genome based on the next-generation sequencing data. The mitogenome is determined to be 16 528 bp in length and shows an organization typical of vertebrate mitochondrial genomes, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 1 control region (D-loop).