Association between proto-oncoprotein Rel and TATA-binding protein mediates transcriptional activation by NF-κB

The c-Rel protein is able to associate in vitro and in vivo with the TATA-binding protein (TBP) of the TFIID complex. Coexpression of TBP with c-Rel augments transactivation from the kappa B site in Drosophila Schneider cells. DNA-binding mutants of TBP not only fail to cooperate, but they repress transactivation by c-Rel. There may be a direct communication between kappa B enhancer binding proteins and basal transcription factors which leads to enhanced transcription.