Introduction to NF-κB: players, pathways, perspectives

This article serves as an introduction to the collection of reviews on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF- κ B). It provides an overview of the discovery and current status of NF- κ B as a research topic. Described are the structures, activities and regulation of the proteins in the NF- κ B family of transcription factors. NF- κ B signaling is primarily regulated by inhibitor κ B (I κ B) proteins and the IκB kinase complex through two major pathways: the canonical and non-canonical NF- κ 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- κ B.