NAK / TBK1 peptide

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) is a ubiquitous transcription factor and an essential mediator of gene expression during activation of immune and inflammatory responses. NF-kB mediates the expression of a great variety of genes in response to extracellular stimuli. NF-kB is associated with IkB proteins in the cell cytoplasm, which inhibit NF-kB activity. Phosphorylation of I-kB by IkBkinase (IKK) complex leads to degradation of I-kB and activation of NF-kB. The IKK complex contains IKKa, IKKb, and IKKg. A novel IKK related kinase was recently identified and designated TBK1 (TANK-binding kinase 1), NAK (NF-kB-activating kinase), and T2K. NAK/TBK1 activates IKKb through direct phosphorylation. NAK/TBK1 is activated by growth factors and PMA and mediates IKK and NF-kB activation in response to growth factors. NAK/TBK1 functions upstream of NIK and the IKK complex. NAK/TBK1 is also critical in protecting embryonic liver from apoptosis.