The regulation and roles of Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors during lymphocyte activation.

The activation of B and T cells by a wide range of stimuli can rapidly induce specific gene expression via a mechanism that promotes the nuclear translocation of different Rel/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) transcription factors which are normally resident in the cytoplasm. Recent findings highlight the crucial roles of specific Rel/NF-kappa B family members in the processes of cell division, apoptosis and differentiation that accompany lymphocyte activation.