Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic transcription factor family (NFAT (family))

The nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) cytoplasmic transcription factor family comprises five members (NFATc1-5) that are key regulators of inducible gene transcription, particularly in immune cells. Classical members (NFATc1–c4) translocate from cytosol to nucleus upon calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation triggered by sustained intracellular calcium signaling, while NFAT5 operates independently and responds to osmotic stress. NFAT proteins are central to T cell activation—driving cytokine gene expression such as IL-2—and are widely involved in development, differentiation, and adaptive functions of numerous tissues, as well as in diverse pathological conditions like cancer and autoimmune diseases. They are pharmacologically targeted by immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, which prevent NFAT nuclear entry by inhibiting calcineurin activity, thereby suppressing immune responses

Other names

Nuclear factor of activated T cellsNFATNFATC1NFATC2NFATC3NFATC4NFAT5NFATc1NFATc2NFATc3NFATc4NFAT4NFATXcalcineurin-dependent transcription factors

Drugs such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus inhibit calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation of NFAT, blocking its nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of cytokine genes, leading to immunosuppression