Identification of New IkappaBalpha Complexes by an Iterative Experimental and Mathematical Modeling Approach.

The transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-B (NFkappaB) is a key regulator of pro-inflammatory and pro-proliferative processes. Accordingly, uncontrolled NFkappaB activity may contribute to the development of severe diseases when the regulatory system is impaired. Since NFkappaB can be triggered by a huge variety of inflammatory, pro-and anti-apoptotic stimuli, its activation underlies a complex and tightly regulated signaling network that also includes multi-layered negative feedback mechanisms. Detailed understanding of this complex signaling network is mandatory to identify sensitive parameters that may serve as targets for therapeutic interventions. While many details about canonical and non-canonical NFkappaB activation have been investigated, less is known about cellular IkappaBalpha pools that may tune the cellular NFkappaB levels. IkappaBalpha has so far exclusively been described to exist in two different forms within the cell: stably bound to NFkappaB or, very transiently, as unbound protein. We created a detailed mathematical model to quantitatively capture and analyze the time-resolved network behavior. By iterative refinement with numerous biological experiments, we yielded a highly identifiable model with superior predictive power which led to the hypothesis of an NFkappaB-lacking IkappaBalpha complex that contains stabilizing IKK subunits. We provide evidence that other but canonical pathways exist that may affect the cellular IkappaBalpha status. This additional IkappaBalpha:IKKgamma complex revealed may serve as storage for the inhibitor to antagonize undesired NFkappaB activation under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.