IkB-alpha (NF-kappa-B Inhibitor alpha, I-kappa-B-alpha, IkB-alpha, IkappaBalpha, Major histocompatibility Complex Enhancer-Binding Protein MAD3, NFKBIA, IKBA, MAD3, NFKBI)

Activation of NFκB requires that IκB be phosphorylated on specific serine residues, which results in targeted degradation of IκB. IκB kinase alpha (IKKalpha), previously designated CHUK, interacts with IκB-alpha and specifically phosphorylates IκB-alpha on the sites that trigger its degradation Serines 32 and 36. IKKalpha appears to be critical for NFκB activation in response to proinflammatory cytokines. Phosphorylation of IκB by IKKalpha is stimulated by the NFκB inducing kinase (NIK), which itself is a central regulator for NFκB activation in response to TNF and IL-1. The functional IKK complex...