Invitrogen™ Human IkB-alpha ELISA Kit

IkB-alpha is a 40 kDa protein that functions to inhibit NF- kappaB activity. The inhibition occurs via protein-protein interaction between I kappaB proteins and NF- kappaB dimers in the cytosol. The interaction of I kappa B-alpha with NF- kappaB masks the nuclear localization sequence of NF- kappaB, preventing NF- kappaB translocation to the nucleus. A variety of stimuli can activate gene expression by liberating NF- kappaB through the degradation of I kappaB alpha. These stimuli include the proinflammatory cytokines TNF- alpha and IL-1 beta, chemokines, PMA, growth factors, LPS, UV irradiation, viral infection, as well as various chemical and physical stresses. In humans, the gene is located on the q arm of chromosome 14. Activation of NFkB requires that IkB be phosphorylated on specific serine residues, which results in targeted degradation of IkB. IkB kinase alpha (IKK alpha), previously designated CHUK, interacts with IkB-alpha and specifically phosphorylates IkB-alpha on the sites that trigger its degradation Serines 32 and 36. IKK alpha appears to be critical for NFkB activation in response to proinflammatory cytokines. Phosphorylation of IkB by IKK alpha is stimulated by the NFkB inducing kinase (NIK), which itself is a central regulator for NFkB activation in response to TNF and IL-1. The functional IKK complex contains three subunits, IKK alpha, IKK beta and IKK gamma, and each appear to make essential contributions to IkB phosphorylation.