What is NF-κB and its role in cellular mechanisms?
NF-κB is a family of transcription factors consisting of five members: RelA (p65), RelB, c-Rel, p50, and p52. These proteins form various dimeric complexes that bind to specific DNA sequences to regulate gene expression. NF-κB is primarily involved in regulating genes that control inflammation, immune response, and cell survival. In a toxicological context, NF-κB is activated in response to stress signals such as radiation, oxidative stress, and exposure to chemical toxins.
