IKK-γ is an essential regulatory subunit of the IκB kinase complex

Pro-inflammatory cytokines activate the transcription factor NF-kappa B by stimulating the activity of a protein kinase that phosphorylates I kappa B, an inhibitor of NF-kappa B1-5, af sites that trigger its ubiquitination and degradation. This results in the nuclear translocation of freed NF-kappa B dimers and the activation of transcription of target genes(6,7). Many of these target genes code for immunoregulatory proteins(8,9). A large, cytokine-responsive I kappa B kinase (IKK) complex has been purified and the genes encoding two of its subunits have been cloned(1,2,5). These subunits, IKK-alpha and IKK-beta, are protein kinases whose function is needed for NF-kappa B activation by pro-inflammatory stimuli. Here, by using a monoclonal antibody against IKK-alpha, we purify the IKK complex to homogeneity from human cell lines. We find that IKK is composed of similar amounts of IKK-alpha, IKK-beta and two other polypeptides, for which we obtained partial sequences. These polypeptides are differentially processed forms of a third subunit, IKK-gamma. Molecular cloning and sequencing indicate that IKK-gamma is composed of several potential coiled-coil moths. IKK-gamma interacts preferentially with IKK-beta and is required for the activation of the IKK complex. An IKK-gamma carboxy-terminal truncation mutant that still binds IKK-beta blocks the activation of IKK and NF-kappa B.