IKAP

The transcription factor NF-kappa B coordinates the activation of numerous genes in response to pathogens and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and is, therefore, vital in the development of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. NF-kappa B is activated by cytokine-activated IKB kinases (IKKs); IKK-alpha and IKK-beta isozymes are found in large complexes. Theses large, interleukin-1-inducible IKK complexes have been found to contain a new protein, termed IKK-complex-associated protein (IKAP), which can bind NIK and IKKs and assemble them into an active kinase complex. IKAP is a scaffold protein and a regulator for 3 different kinases involved in pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling.