TRANSCRIPTION Picking a Signaling Pathway

How is specificity gained when numerous genes are regulated by a single transcription factor in response to diverse stimuli? Hoffman et al. (see the Perspective by Ting and Endy) examined how a transcription factor called nuclear factor-B (NF-B) is differentially controlled by three different isoforms of an inhibitor protein called IB. They combined computational modeling with biochemical data that they obtained from genetically engineered cells that express only one IB isoform. During the cell's exposure to a stimulus, a bimodal and temporal signal processing mechanism determines which IB-NF-B pathway and downstream target genes get activated.

A. Hoffmann, A. Levchenko, M. L. Scott, D. Baltimore, The IB-NF-B signaling module: Temporal control and selective gene activation. Science 298, 1241-1245 (2002). [Abstract] [Full Text]

A. Y. Ting, D. Endy, Decoding NF-B signaling. Science 298, 1189-1190 (2002). [Summary] [Full Text]

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In Science Magazine

PERSPECTIVES
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION:
Decoding NF-kB Signaling

Alice Y. Ting and Drew Endy (8 November 2002)
Science 298 (5596), 1189. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1079331]
 |  Summary »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »

REPORTS
The IB-NF-B Signaling Module: Temporal Control and Selective Gene Activation

Alexander Hoffmann, Andre Levchenko, Martin L. Scott, and David Baltimore (8 November 2002)
Science 298 (5596), 1241. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1071914]
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »  |  Supporting Online Material »