ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the signal transduction mechanism of inhibitor kappa B kinase α( IKKα) , one of the catalytic subunits of IKK complex , for regulating p53 transactivation in the cellular ultraviolet radiation ( UVB) repsonse. Methods The transactivation of p53 was determined by dual-luciferase reporter gene analysis system while the expression and activation of IKKα, IKKβ, p53 and p38K was detected by Western blotting assay .Results UVB exposure induced activation and transactivation of p 53 in the wild type mouse fibroblasts ,but the effect was blocked by IKKa deficiency and recovered by reconstitution of IKKαexpression.Under the same conditions , IKKαregulated p38K activation, while inhibi-ting p38K activation down-regulated p53 transactivation under UVB exposure .Conclusion IKKαregulates UVB-induced phosphorylation and activation of p 53 in a p38K-dependent manner .