NIK Adenovirus

NFκB-Inducing Kinase (NIK)
The NFκB transcription factor can be activated by several cytokines including TNF and IL-1. The TNF receptor activates NFκB through the Traf2 adapter protein , whereas the IL-1 receptor activates NFκB in a pathway involving Traf6 . Both Traf2 and Traf6 have been shown to interact with a serine/threonine kinase designated NFkB inducing kinase (NIK), which appears to participate in the NFκB signaling cascades triggered by both TNF and IL-1. NIK associates with, and is a costimulator for IkB kinase α (IKKα). IKKα , in turn, phosphorylates IκB, resulting in I κ B degradation and NF κ B activation. NIK has sequence similarity to several kinases that participate in MAP kinase cascades.