Introduction to NF-κB:: players, pathways, perspectives

This article serves as an introduction to the collection of reviews on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappa B). It provides an overview of the discovery and current status of NF-kappa B as a research topic. Described are the structures, activities and regulation of the proteins in the NF-kappa B family of transcription factors. NF-kappa B signaling is primarily regulated by inhibitor kappa B (I kappa B) proteins and the I kappa B kinase complex through two major pathways: the canonical and non-canonical NF-kappa B pathways. The organization and focus of articles included in the following reviews are described, as well as likely future areas of research interest on NF-kappa B.