Description
IKK epsilon is a noncanonical I-kappa-B kinase (IKK) that is essential for regulating antiviral signaling pathways. It has also been identified as a breast cancer oncogene and is amplified and overexpressed in over 30% of breast carcinomas and breast cancer cell lines (1). IKK epsilon phosphorylates inhibitors of NF-kappa-B thus leading to the dissociation of the inhibitor/NF-kappa-B complex and ultimately the degradation of the inhibitor. It plays a special role in the immune response. IKK epsilon protects cells against DNA damage-induced cell death (2)