NFATc1/αA: The other Face of NFAT Factors in Lymphocytes

Table 1 Selected properties of individual murine NFATc proteins expressed in lymphoid cells

NFATc Proteins	Length¹⁾	Induction²⁾	SUMO-	Properties	Refs.
NFATc Proteins	[aa]	RNA/Protein	sites³⁾	Properties	Refs.
NFATc1/αA	717	+/+++	(1)	anti-apoptotic, supports proliferation, anti-anergic, oncogenic activity	[24, 38, 39, 90]
(NFATc,
NFAT2)
NFATc1/βA	703	-/-	(1)	n.d.	[38]
NFATc1/αC	939	+/+/-	2 (+1)	pro-apoptotic, (inhibits proliferation)	[35, 38, 39]
NFATc1/βC	925	-/-	2 (+1)	n.d.	[38]
NFATc2	923-927	(+)/-	2	pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, supports anergy induction, tumor suppressor activity	[24, 35, 56, 57, 59, 90, 97, 98]
(NFAT1)					[24, 35, 56, 57, 59, 90, 97, 98]
NFATc3	1076	/-	1-2	(anti-proliferative)	[98]
(NFAT4,
NFATx)

1) Data from the NCBI database “Gene”. There, two short NFATc2 versions of 452 and 672 aa are also documented. However, their expression and function are unknown. For a comprehensive study about human and murine NFATc RNAs see Ref.[47].
2) Induction upon immune receptor stimulation in naïve and Th0/Th1 effector T cells and splenic B cells. RNA data were compiled from RNA Seq (E.S. et al., unpubl.) and real time PCR data obtained with splenic T and B cells upon primary stimulation[39]. The protein data reflect the results of Western blot assays[39]. +, 3–5 fold induction; +++, 50 fold induction and more.
3) Existence of SUMO-consensus sites within NFATc proteins. For NFATc1 and c2, their SUMOylation has been demonstrated in vivo[38, 97]. (1) for NFATc1 indicates the existence of a “silent” SUMO consensus sites which remains un-used[38]. In NFATc3, two SUMO sites are present but only one corresponds to a “perfect” site.

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