Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 3 (NFATc3)

Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 3 (NFATc3) is a member of the NFAT family of transcription factors, encoded by the NFATC3 gene in humans. It is chiefly expressed in the thymus and immune cells (particularly T cells and macrophages), where it regulates inducible gene expression, most notably cytokines such as IL-2 and TNFα. NFATc3 is maintained as a phosphorylated cytoplasmic protein in resting cells; upon stimulation (typically via antigen receptor signaling), a calcium/calcineurin pathway triggers its dephosphorylation and nuclear import, enabling binding to DNA and transcriptional activation of immune/inflammatory genes. NFATc3 also influences differentiation and gene expression in non-lymphoid cell types (such as adipocytes and macrophages). Dysregulation of NFATc3 is implicated in cancer progression (as seen in PDAC), immune disorders, and inflammatory lung injury, making it a therapeutic target for immunosuppressive drugs and biomarker studies.

Other names

NFATc3NFAT4NF-AT4NF-ATc3NFATXT-cell transcription factor NFAT4Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 3

Inhibition of calcineurin phosphatase blocks dephosphorylation and nuclear import of NFAT family members, including NFATc3, thereby suppressing cytokine gene transcription and immune activation.