c-Rel is the cellular cognate of v-Rel, the avian reticuloendotheliosis virus strain T transforming gene. v-Rel encodes a phosphoprotein that is located in the cytoplasm of transformed spleen cells and in the nucleus of non-transformed fibroblasts, in contrast to the c-Rel protein, which is cytoplasmic. c-Rel has been shown to represent a constituent of the κB site binding transcription factor NFκB, which plays a crucial role in the expression of immunoglobulin κ light chain gene. c-Rel is also involved in responses to auto-antigens, allo-antigens, allergens and pathogens and may contribute to the development of certain human lymphoid cell cancers.
