SUMOylation attenuates the transcriptional activity of the NF-κB subunit RelB.

The NF-κB subunit RelB is known to act either as an activator or repressor of NF-κB-dependent gene expression. The RelB-p52 heterodimer, for instance, is the key element of the alternative NF-κB signaling pathway supporting the expression of a subset of NF-κB target genes. By contrast, RelB is crucial for the repression of important pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNFα or interleukin 1β.

The Ca2+-dependent phosphatase calcineurin controls the formation of the Carma1-Bcl10-Malt1 complex during T cell receptor-induced NF-kappaB activation.

T cell receptor (TCR) ligation induces increased diacylglycerol and Ca(2+) levels in T cells, and both secondary messengers are crucial for TCR-induced nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) and NF-κB signaling pathways. One prominent calcium-dependent enzyme involved in the regulation of NF-AT and NF-κB signaling pathways is the protein phosphatase calcineurin. However, in contrast to NF-AT, which is directly dephosphorylated by calcineurin, the molecular basis of the calcium-calcineurin dependence of the TCR-induced NF-κB activity remains largely unknown.

Identification of lysine residues critical for the transcriptional activity and polyubiquitination of the NF-kappaB family member RelB.

RelB is the key component of the alternative NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB) signalling pathway. However, RelB exerts also a negative effect via the recruitment of a DNMT1 (DNA methyltransferase 1)-Daxx (death domain-associated protein) complex to NF-kappaB target genes. Importantly, the molecular mechanisms which determine the functions of RelB are still largely unknown.

Identification of a 94-bp GC-rich element in the smooth muscle myosin heavy-chain promoter controlling vascular smooth muscle cell-specific gene expression.

The previously described rabbit 2.3-kilobase smooth muscle myosin heavy-chain (SMHCwt) promoter targets gene expression in transgenic animals to vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), including coronary arteries. Therefore, SMHCwt is thought to provide a promising tool for human gene therapy.