NIK (CT)

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Nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) is a ubiquitous transcription factor and an essential mediator of gene expression during activation of immune and inflammatory responses. NFkB mediates the expression of a great variety of genes in response to extracellular stimuli including IL-1, TNF alpha LPS and mitogens. A serine/threonine protein kinase which mediates NFkappa;B activation by IL-1, TNF alpha; and CD95 was identified recently and designated NIK (for NF kappa;B inducing kinase) . NIK is an activator of I kappa B kinase alpha; and beta; (IKK alpha; and IKK beta;) (2-5). Therefore, NIK is a key molecule in the NF kappa;B signaling pathway leading to the induction of a variety of gene expression in response to proinflammatory cytokines and bacteria products.