Figure 1. Cytoplasmic localization of IκBα in the skin is associated with tumorigenesis.

IκBα is localized in the cytoplasm of most cell types where it plays a major role as a negative regulator of the NF-κB signaling pathway. However, IκBα is detected in the nucleus of basal layer keratinocytes, whereas loss of nuclear IκBα and its cytoplasmic accumulation is a hallmark of human Squamous Cell Carcinoma.