The signal transduction pathway(s) mediated by ORF120 to activate NF-κB was confirmed by inducing the phosphorylation of the IKK complex subunits IKKα/β, phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, and phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in the early phase of infection. The gene discussed is CHUK; the disease is infection.