ABSTRACT

Transcription factors are genetic switches that regulate the expression of various genes. Because dysregulated expression of a gene may lead to the development of a disease, transcription factors have been used for drug development. For instance nonregulated activation of transcription factor NF-B

has been implicated in inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases, tumorigenesis, and viral replication; it is therefore considered an ideal target for drug development. This review discusses the structure of transcription factors, their binding to DNA, gene activation, and drugs that can suppress them.