Proto-oncogene protein c-Rel, also known as c-Rel, is a type of transcriptional regulator protein that plays a significant role in the regulation of gene expression and cell proliferation. It is a member of the Rel/NF-κB family of proteins, which act as transcription factors that control various cellular processes.
The term "proto-oncogene" refers to a normal cellular gene that has the potential to become an oncogene, a gene that drives the development of cancer. Proto-oncogenes encode proteins involved in regulating cell growth and division, but when they become mutated or activated inappropriately, they can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, a hallmark of cancer.
c-Rel specifically functions as a transcription factor by binding to specific DNA sequences in the promoter region of target genes. It interacts with other proteins in the Rel/NF-κB family to form dimers, which can affect gene transcription positively or negatively.
The activation of c-Rel is tightly regulated, and its dysregulation can contribute to the development of cancers and various inflammatory diseases. As a key player in the NF-κB signaling pathway, c-Rel is involved in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses, cell survival, and differentiation.
The overexpression or aberrant activation of c-Rel has been observed in several types of cancers, including lymphomas and leukemias. Therefore, c-Rel has emerged as a potential target for therapeutic interventions aimed at inhibiting the abnormal cell proliferation and survival associated with cancer.
