RELA Protein – Transcription factor p65(RELA)

Description of RELA Protein - Transcription factor p65(RELA)

More Information about RELA Protein

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RELA protein also known as transcription factor p65 or nuclear factor NF-kappa-B p65 subunit is one of the members the NF-κB family of proteins. It is expressed in various cell types including endothelial and epithelial cells. This protein is encoded by RELA gene in humans. RELA protein is involved in the formation of NF-kB heterodimer, its nuclear translocation and activation. NF-kB is a protein complex involved in a multitude of cell processes such as DNA transcription, cell metabolism, cell survival and cytokine production. _x000D_

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Similar to other members of NF-κB family, RELA protein contains a N-terminal REL homology domain (RHD) and a C-terminal transactivation domain (TAD). RHD region is responsible for DNA binding and NF-κB/RELA protein interaction. TAD domain is involved in the interaction between RELA protein and basal transcription complex and transcription coactivators such as TFIIB, TBP and CREB-CBP. Among the different NF-kB homodimers and heterodimers, RELA-p50 heterodimer is the most commonly found. This complex is the functional component of NF-κB nuclear translocation and activation. _x000D_

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RELA protein undergoes phosphorylation, acetylation and methylation. RELA protein phosphorylation is believed to play a key role in regulating NF-kB function and activation. The phosphorylation is site-specific, and it can occur in the RHD or the TAD region and is triggered by Protein Kinase A (PKA) and liposaccharides (LPS). Mitogen and stress-activated kinase 1 can also induce RELA protein phosphorylation. RELA protein also undergoes site-acetylation modification in the nucleus which is believed to be just as important as phosphorylation. The acetylation is site specific with lysine 218, 221 and 310 being the acetylation targets. Lysine 221 acetylation enhances RELA affinity for DNA binding whereas lysine 310 is responsible for RELA full transcription activity. Other targets may include lysine 122 and 123. However, their acetylation is negatively correlated with RELA protein transcription activation. As for methylation, it can affect lysine 218, lysine 221 and lysine 37 can result in an increased response to cytokines._x000D_