Series Introduction: The transcription factor NF-κB and human disease

Beginning with its discovery in 1986 and continuing through the present, the transcription factor NF-κB has attracted widespread interest based on its unusual regulation, the variety of stimuli that activate it, the diverse genes and biological responses that it controls, the striking evolutionary conservation of structure and function among family members, and its apparent involvement in a variety of human diseases (Table ​(Table1).1). Importantly, and consistent with the last point, NF-κB has been shown to be the target of several anti-inflammatory and anticancer drugs.