The inhibitor of kB kinase (IKK) is the master regulator of the nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) pathway, involved in inflammatory, immune and apoptotic responses. In the ‘canonical’ NF-kB pathway, IKK phosphorylates inhibitor of kB (IkB) proteins and this triggers ubiquitin-mediated degradation of IkB, leading to release and nuclear translocation of NF-B transcription factors. The data presented show that the IKK and IKK subunits recognize a YDDX docking site located within the disordered C-terminal region of IkBa. Our results also suggest that IKK contributes to the docking interaction with higher affinity as compared to IKK.