Background
IKKa is IkB Kinase alpha subunit. The IkB Kinase (IKK) complex is the key enzyme involved in the activation and translocation of NFkB (p50 and p65). The IKK complex is composed of two catalytic subunits (IKKa and IKKb) and a regulatory subunit (IKKg). NFkB signaling is negatively regulated by the sequestration of the NFkB complex in the cytoplasm by its association with the IkB family of inhibitory proteins. Upon its activation, the IKK complex phosphorylates IkBa at Ser32 and Ser36. This results ultimately in the degradation of IkB and the activation and nuclear translocation of NFkB. While both IKK-alpha and IKK-beta subunits are Ser/Thr kinases, IKK-beta appears to be the principal kinase, as IKKa is not required for activation of the IKK complex and the subsequent degradation of IkBa.
Cellular location
Nucleus, Cytoplasm
