SIGNALING INTO THE T-CELL NUCLEUS - NFAT REGULATION

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) plays an important role in T-cell biology. Activation of T cells results in the rapid calcine urin-dependent translocation of NFAT transcription factors from the cy toplasm to the nucleus. This translocation process coupled to the subs equent active maintenance of NFAT in the nucleus compartment is critic al for the induction of expression of several genes encoding cytokines and membrane proteins that modulate immune responses. The molecular c loning of the NFAT family of transcription factors has facilitated rap id progress in the understanding of the signalling mechanisms that con trol the activity of NFAT. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.