NFAT signaling in neural development and axon growth
Open accessAbstract
The NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T‐cells) family of transcription factors functions as integrators of multiple signaling pathways by binding to chromatin in combination with other transcription factors and coactivators to regulate genes central for many developmental systems. Recent experimental evidence has shown that the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway is important in axonal growth and guidance during vertebrate development. In fact, studies with triple NFATc2/c3/c4 mutant mice demonstrate that the extension and organization of sensory axon projection and commissural axon growth are both dependent upon NFAT activity. Neurotrophin and L‐type calcium channel signaling modulate intracellular calcium levels to regulate the nuclear import and transcriptional activity of NFAT by activating the phosphatase calcineurin. The rephosphorylation and subsequent export of NFAT from the nucleus is mediated by several kinases, including GSK‐3β, which contribute to the fine tuning of NFAT transcriptional activity in neurons. However, currently, no direct transcriptional targets for NFAT have been identified in a chromatin environment in the nervous system. Undiscovered are also the binding partners of NFAT that might combinatorially regulate specific genes important for neuronal development. This review will discuss the current knowledge related to NFAT signaling in the nervous system development and the potential for future research directions.
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Different neuronal cell types express different NFAT isoforms.
“However, recent studies have shown that neurons also express NFAT and that different neuronal cell types express different NFAT isoforms (67–70).”
From LRRK2 mediates microglial neurotoxicity via NFATc2 in rodent models of synucleinopathies (2020) · cites this paper as [68]
The Introduction describes NFATc4 activity in hippocampal neurons, and the References list a study of NFATc1 in sympathetic ganglion neurons. These passages support examples of different isoforms in different neuronal populations, but the review does not establish a general pattern of cell-type-specific isoform expression. No page numbers were provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredNeurons also express NFAT.
“However, recent studies have shown that neurons also express NFAT and that different neuronal cell types express different NFAT isoforms (67–70).”
From LRRK2 mediates microglial neurotoxicity via NFATc2 in rodent models of synucleinopathies (2020) · cites this paper as [68]
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The Wnt/calcium pathway activates NF-AT and promotes ventral cell fate in Xenopus embryos
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- Authors
- Nguyen, T., & Di Giovanni, S.
- Affiliations
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research (DE)
- Laboratory for NeuroRegeneration and Repair Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research University of Tuebingen Tuebingen Germany
- Corresponding author
- Nguyen, Tuan
- ORCID
- Nguyen, Tuan
- Venue
- International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2007-11-17
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 141-145
- ISSN
- 0736-5748 (ISSN-L)
- 1873-474X
- PMC
- PMC2267928
- OpenAlex
- W2067110557
- Cited by
- 135
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 0.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (R21 NS052640)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Signaling Pathways in Disease
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Keywords
- NFAT signaling, calcineurin, axon growth, axon guidance, neural development, commissural axons, neurotrophins, L-type calcium channels, intracellular calcium, GSK3β, transcriptional regulation
- MeSH terms
- Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta, Animals, Cell Differentiation, Central Nervous System, Signal Transduction, Calcineurin, Calcium Signaling, Growth Cones, Active Transport, Cell Nucleus, Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3, NFATC Transcription Factors, Mice
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