title: Probing T-cell signal transduction pathways with the immunosuppressive drugs, FK-506 and rapamycin.
abstract: In addition to their clinical utility in tissue transplantation the immunosuppressive agents FK-506 (Prograf) and rapamycin, have proven to be valuable tools for gaining insight into the biochemistry of T-cell activation. The findings that the protein phosphatase calcineurin and cell cycle control are key elements in T-cell activation and proliferation are the direct result of investigations into the mechanism of action of FK-506 and rapamycin and provide potentially novel therapeutic targets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Immunology, Immunobiology Research Institute, Annandale, N.J. 08801-0999, USA.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Siekierka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D011090:Polyenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D020123:Sirolimus; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011090:Polyenes; D020123:Sirolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus