Abstract

Dr. Vinay Tergaonkar, , Principal Investigator, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore.



The transcription factor NFkB is critical for several cellular and developmental events in metazoans. Not surprisingly, deregulated activity of NFkB is found in several human ailments. Targeting this pathway hence is a worthwhile strategy for several pharmaceutical and academic establishments. The rate limiting step in NFkB activation is controlled by two kinases, IKK1 and IKK2 which reside in a 900KD cytoplasmic complex. Apart from these two kinases, the 900KD complex also contains other proteins that dictate how and when IKK1 and IKK2 get activated. Of the 5 identified members, two small proteins which reside in the 900KD complex are absolutely essential for IKK1/2 activity. I will tell you a new story about how these two proteins control IKK and hence NFkB activity.