NFATC2

Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 2 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the NFATC2 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
This gene is a member of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (is_associated_with::NFAT) family. The product of this gene is a is_associated_with::DNA-binding protein with a REL-homology region (RHR) and an NFAT-homology region (NHR). This protein is present in the is_associated_with::cytosol and only translocates to the nucleus upon T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, where it becomes a member of the nuclear factors of activated T cells transcription complex. This complex plays a central role in inducing gene transcription during the immune response. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized.

Clinical significance
NFAT transcription factors are implicated in is_associated_with::breast cancer, more specifically in the process of cell motility at the basis of metastasis formation. Indeed NFAT1 (NFATC2) is pro-invasive and pro-migratory in breast carcinoma.

To increase cell motility NFAT1 up-regulates the gene of the Lipocalin 2 expression and modulate the TWEAKR/TWEAK axis.

Translocation forming an in frame fusions product between EWSR1 gene and the NFATc2 gene has been described in bone tumor with a Ewing sarcoma-like clinical appearance. The translocation breakpoint led to the loss of the controlling elements of the NFATc2 protein and the fusion of the N terminal region of the EWSR1 gene conferred constant activation of the protein.

Interactions
NFATC2 has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::MEF2D, is_associated_with::EP300, is_associated_with::IRF4 and is_associated_with::Protein kinase Mζ.