Cell demise inhibited: Unexpected liaisons between mitochondria and IκBα

I kappa B alpha (the protein product of NFKBIA gene) has widely been considered a pro- apoptotic factor due to its ability to inhibit the anti-apoptotic transcription factor NF kappa B. Our findings indicate that I kappa B alpha also exerts a strong anti-apoptotic activity at the outer mitochondria membrane (OMM). This function we uncovered is distinct from its ability to sequester and inhibit NF kappa B. I kappa B alpha instead binds to voltage dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) and Hexokinase 2 (HK2), stabilizes this complex and prevents mitochondria outer membrane permeabilisation (MOMP) and apoptosis.

Automated summary

The protein I kappa B alpha, known for inhibiting the anti-apoptotic factor NF kappa B, has also been found to have a strong anti-apoptotic activity at the outer mitochondria membrane. It binds to VDAC1 and HK2, stabilizes the complex, and prevents mitochondria outer membrane permeabilisation and apoptosis.