IκB Kinase α (IKKα) Regulation of IKKβ Kinase Activity

Two related kinases, IκB kinase α (IKKα) and IKKβ, phosphorylate the IκB proteins, leading to their degradation and the subsequent activation of gene expression by NF-κB. IKKβ has a much higher level of kinase activity for the IκB proteins than does IKKα and is more critical than IKKα in modulating tumor necrosis factor alpha activation of the NF-κB pathway. These results indicate an important role for IKKβ in activating the NF-κB pathway but leave open the question of the role of IKKα in regulating this pathway. In the current study, we demonstrate that IKKα directly phosphorylates IKKβ. Moreover, IKKα either directly or indirectly enhances IKKβ kinase activity for IκBα. Finally, transfection studies to analyze NF-κB-directed gene expression suggest that IKKα is upstream of IKKβ in activating the NF-κB pathway. These results indicate that IKKα, in addition to its previously described ability to phosphorylate IκBα, can increase the ability of IKKβ to phosphorylate IκBα.