Science, Vol.275, No.5308, 1930-1933, 1997
Nuclear Export of NF-Atc Enhanced by Glycogen-Synthase Kinase-3
The transcription factor NF-AT responds to Ca2+-calcineurin signals by translocating to the nucleus, where it participates in the activation of early immune response genes. Calcineurin dephosphorylates conserved serine residues in the amino terminus of NF-AT, resulting in nuclear import. Purification of the NF-AT kinase revealed that it is composed of a priming kinase activity and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). GSK-3 phosphorylates conserved serines necessary for nuclear export, promotes nuclear exit, and thereby opposes Ca2+-calcineurin signaling. Because GSK-3 responds to signals initiated by Wnt and other ligands, NF-AT family members could be effecters of these pathways.
Keywords:T-CELL ACTIVATION;CYCLOSPORINE-A;GENE;FAMILY;IDENTIFICATION;CALCINEURIN;PROMOTER;MEMBERS;PRODUCT;SIGNAL