Ets-1 interacts with NRON complex and facilitates the nuclear entry of NFAT (P6335)

• Published in: The Journal of immunology (1950) Vol. 190; no. 1_Supplement; pp. 184 - 184.29
• Main Authors: Tsao, Hsiao-Wei, Tai, Tzong-Shyuan, Tseng, William, Ho, I-Cheng, Miaw, Shi-Chuen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2013
• ISSN: 0022-1767; 1550-6606
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.190.Supp.184.29

Abstract NFAT transcription factors are critical for the expression of IL-2 by Th cells. In resting Th cells, NFATs are phosphorylated and trapped in cytoplasm by NRON complex. Calcium dependent signals downstream of TCR lead to dephosphorylation of NFATs and disassembly of NROM complex, releasing NFAT into nucleus to transactivate IL-2. However, how the assembly and disassembly of NRON complex is regulated is not fully understood. Here we report that Ets-1, the prototype of the ETS family of transcription factors was critical for the expression of IL-2 in primary human Th cells. A sizable fraction of nuclear Ets-1 quickly exited nucleus in response to calcium dependent signals and interacted with protein components of NRON complex. Ets-1 deficiency resulted in impaired nuclear entry of NFAT proteins and their recruitment to the IL-2 promoter. To the best our knowledge, Ets-1 is the first transcription factor that is known to facilitate nuclear entry of NFAT proteins by interacting with NRON complex.