NFAT and NF-kappaB factors-the distant relatives.
NFAT and NF-kappaB proteins are members of a superfamily of transcription factors whose activity plays a crucial role in the activation, proliferation and apoptosis of lymphocytes. Both types of factors share a number of properties, including similar DNA binding domains and rapid nuclear translocation upon antigenic stimulation. While NF-kappaBs control both innate and adaptive immune responses, NFATs control the adaptive immune system which emerged-in parallel with the appearance of the NFAT family-in jawed fish. However, NFATs and NF-kappaBs differ remarkably in their function. Whereas NFATs support activation-induced cell death (AICD) of T and B cells, NF-kappaB proteins frequently exert a strong anti-apoptotic effect on lymphocytes and other cells. While the anti-apoptotic activity of NF-kappaBs contributes to their oncogenic capacity, the pro-apoptotic activity favors NFATs as tumor suppressors in lymphoid cells.
Serfling
Edgar
E
Department of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany. serfling.e@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
Berberich-Siebelt
Friederike
F
Avots
Andris
A
Chuvpilo
Sergei
S
Klein-Hessling
Stefan
S
Jha
Mithilesh Kumar
MK
Kondo
Eizaku
E
Pagel
Philipp
P
Schulze-Luehrmann
Jan
J
Palmetshofer
Alois
A
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors