The REL gene encodes c-Rel, a transcription factor that is a member of the Rel/NFKB family, which also includes RELA (MIM 164014), RELB (604758), NFKB1 (MIM 164011), and NFKB2 (MIM 164012). These proteins are related through a highly conserved N-terminal region termed the 'Rel domain,' which is responsible for DNA binding, dimerization, nuclear localization, and binding to the NFKB inhibitor (MIM 164008) (Belguise and Sonenshein, 2007 (PubMed 18037997)).
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