Ikk gamma gene products and methods for making and using same

Abstract

Disclosed are isolated IKKγΔ; isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding IKKγΔ; expression vectors and cells which contain such nucleic acid molecules; oligonucleotides which are complementary to at least a portion of nucleic acid molecules encoding IKKγΔ but which are not complementary to any portion of nucleic acid molecules encoding wild type IKKγ; antibodies which are specific for IKKγΔ; DNA and RNA oligomers, optionally in labeled or enzymatically active form, which are capable of selectively hybridizing to nucleic acid molecules encoding IKKγΔ; and DNA and RNA oligomers, optionally in labeled or enzymatically active form, which are capable of selectively hybridizing to nucleic acid molecules encoding IKKγΔ but which do not hybridize with nucleic acid molecules encoding wild type IKKγ. Methods for using these materials to inhibit formation of IKKγΔ-containing IKK, to inhibit NF-κB activation, and to treat or prevent inflammation are also disclosed.