REVIEW: Role of Transcription Factor NFAT in the Immune Response

E. M. Kuklina^* and S. V. Shirshev

Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Goleva 13, Perm, 614081 Russia; fax: (3422) 646-711; E-mail: conf1@ecology.psu.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received July 18, 2000; Revision received November 13, 2000

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Molecular mechanisms of activation of nuclear factor NFAT in cells of the lympho-myeloid complex are considered. Members of the NFAT family regulate transcription of genes encoding proteins involved in the induction and/or regulation of the immune response. It is possible that altered transcription activity of NFAT under conditions of its deficit or blockade of expression may account for changes in the immune status of an organism.

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KEY WORDS: NFAT, immune response, apoptosis, lymphocytes, macrophages, mast cells, cytokines

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