This gene encodes a protein involved in regulating
responses to cytokines by members of the Rel/NF-kappaB
transcription factor family. These factors play a central role in
innate immunity in response to pathogens, inflammatory signals and
stress. This gene product interacts with TRAF proteins (tumor
necrosis factor receptor-associated factors) and either I-kappaB
kinase or MAP kinase to activate either NF-kappaB or Jun kinase.
Several alternative transcripts encoding different isoforms have
been identified. Another transcript, which does not encode a
protein and is transcribed in the opposite orientation, has been
identified. Overexpression of this transcript has been shown to
reduce expression of at least one of the protein encoding
transcripts, suggesting it has a regulatory role in the expression
of this gene.
