Description
Product Usage Information
Western Blotting: 1:1000
Immunoprecipitation: 1:50
Storage
Supplied in 10 mM sodium HEPES (pH 7.5), 150 mM NaCl, 100 µg/ml BSA and 50% glycerol. Store at -20°C. Do not aliquot the antibody.
Protocol
Available protocols: Western Blotting, Immunoprecipitation
Specificity / Sensitivity
NFAT4 Antibody detects endogenous levels of total NFAT4 protein.
Species Reactivity: Human
Source / Purification
Polyclonal antibodies are produced by immunizing animals with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the sequence of human NFAT4. Antibodies are purified by protein A and peptide affinity chromatography.
Background
The NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) family of proteins consists of NFAT1 (NFATc2 or NFATp), NFAT2 (NFATc1 or NFATc), NFAT3 (NFATc4), and NFAT4 (NFATc3 or NFATx). All members of this family are transcription factors with a Rel homology domain and regulate gene transcription in concert with AP-1 (Jun/Fos) to orchestrate an effective immune response (1,2). NFAT proteins are predominantly expressed in cells of the immune system, but are also expressed in skeletal muscle, keratinocytes, and adipocytes, regulating cell differentiation programs in these cells (3). In resting cells, NFAT proteins are heavily phosphorylated and localized in the cytoplasm. Increased intracellular calcium concentrations activate the calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine phosphatase calcineurin, which dephosphorylates NFAT proteins, resulting in their subsequent translocation to the nucleus (2). Termination of NFAT signaling occurs upon declining calcium concentrations and phosphorylation of NFAT by kinases such as GSK-3 or CK1 (3,4). Cyclosporin A and FK506 are immunosuppressive drugs that inhibit calcineurin and thus retain NFAT proteins in the cytoplasm (5). NFAT4 upregulates the expression of several cytokine genes and activation markers and downregulates expression of CD154 in naive CD4(+) T cells. Furthermore, NFAT4 augments expression of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in helper T-cells 1 (Th1 cells) and attenuates expression of IL-4 and IL-5 in helper T-cells 2 (Th2 cells) (6).
Alternate Names
NF-AT4; NF-AT4c; NF-ATc3; NFAC3; NFAT4; NFATC3; NFATx; nuclear factor of activated T cells 3; nuclear factor of activated T-cells c3 isoform IE-Xa; Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 3; nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 3; T cell transcription factor NFAT4; T-cell transcription factor NFAT4
