Involvement of Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors in senescence.

Senescence is now established as a genetically controlled phenomenon that alters different cell functions, including proliferation, apoptosis, resistance to stress, and energetic metabolism. Underlying changes in gene expression are governed by some transcription factors, whose expression or activity must change with senescence as well. Transcription factors of the Rel/NF-kappa B family are good candidates to participate in the establishment of senescence. Arguments range from correlation between cell functions controlled by these factors and cell functions altered during senescence, to phenotypes resulting from in vitro manipulations of Rel/NF-kappa B activity.