Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells (NFAT)

Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is a family of transcription factors that play a central role in the regulation of gene expression during immune responses, particularly in T lymphocytes. NFAT proteins are also involved in the development and function of other tissues, including cardiac, skeletal muscle, and nervous systems. Activation, typically via sustained increases in intracellular calcium, leads to calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation and translocation to the nucleus where they regulate gene transcription. Dysregulation is implicated in autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, cancers, transplant rejection, and developmental disorders. Immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporin A or tacrolimus inhibit calcineurin activity to block nuclear translocation/activation of classical family members.

Other names

NFATc1NFAT2NFATc2NFAT1NFATc3NFAT4NFATxNFATc4NFAT5

Inhibition of calcineurin, blocking NFAT dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation.