UV stimulation induces nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) DNA-binding activity but not transcriptional activation

The cellular response to DNA-damaging agents is partly mediated by DNA-binding transcription factors such as p53 and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Typically NF-κB activation is associated with resistance to apoptosis. Following stimulation with UV light however, NF-κB activation has been shown to be required for programmed cell death. To study this effect further and to determine the relationship between NF-κB and p53 function, we have examined the effect of UV light on U2OS cells. UV stimulation resulted in the activation of NF-κB DNA-binding and the induction of p53. Surprisingly, and in contrast with tumour necrosis factor α stimulation, this UV-induced NF-κB was transcriptionally inert. These observations suggest a model in which the NF-κB switch from an anti-apoptotic to a pro-apoptotic role within the cell results from modulation of its ability to stimulate gene expression, possibly as a result of the ability of p53 to sequester transcriptional co-activator proteins such as p300/CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein)-binding protein.