IKK-alpha (IKKa) Adenovirus (Ad-CMV-IKKa)

The transcription factor NFÎoB is retained in the cytoplasm in an inactive form by the inhibitory protein IÎoB. Activation of NFÎoB requires that IÎoB be phosphorylated on specific serines residues, which results in targeted degradation of IÎoB. IÎoB kinase α (IKKα), previously designated CHUK, interacts with IÎoB-α and specifically phosphorylates IÎoB-α on the sites that trigger its degradation, serines 32 and 36. IKKα appears to be critical for NFÎoB activation in response to proinflammatory cytokines. Phosphorylation of IÎoB by IKKα is stimulated by the NFÎoB inducing kinase (NIK), which itself is a central regulator for NFÎoB activation in response to TNF and IL-1. The functional IKK complex contains three subunits, IKKα , IKKÎ2 and IKKÎ3 (also designated NEMO), and each appear to make essential contributions to IÎoB phosphorylation.