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In this study, we examined the role of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-inducing kinase (NIK) in distinct signaling pathways leading to NF-kappaB activation. We show that a dominant-negative form of NIK (dnNIK) delivered by adenoviral (Ad5dnNIK) vector inhibits Fas-induced IkappaBalpha phosphorylation and NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression in HT-29 and HeLa cells. Interleukin (IL)-1beta- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced NF-kappaB activation and kappaB-dependent gene expression are inhibited in HeLa cells but not in Ad5dnNIK-infected HT-29 cells. Moreover, Ad5dnNIK failed to sensitize HT-29 cells to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis at an early time point. However, cytokine- and Fas-induced signals to NF-kappaB are finally integrated by the IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex, since IkappaBalpha phosphorylation, NF-kappaB DNA binding activity, and IL-8 gene expression were strongly inhibited in HT-29 and HeLa cells overexpressing dominant-negative IKKbeta (Ad5dnIKKbeta). Our findings support the concept that cytokine signaling to NF-kappaB is redundant at the level of NIK. In addition, this study demonstrates for the first time the critical role of NIK and IKKbeta in Fas-induced NF-kappaB signaling cascade.