[emy]

what part does the NFAT complex play in the decoding of calcium signals in the cell

[sdekivit]

NFAT is a transcription factor that is activated by the Ca-dependant protein calcineurin resulting gene expression. Calcineurin is activated when intracellular Ca-concentration increase by activation of phospholipase C by cross-linking of the T-cell receptor. IP3 then releases Ca from the smooth ER into the cytosol, so it can bindt to calmodulin and calcineurin.

in combination with the transcription factors MAPk and NF-kB this induces T-cell proliferation and differentiation.