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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

A Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay to Identify Novel NFAT2 Target Genes in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
09:52

A Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay to Identify Novel NFAT2 Target Genes in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Published on: December 4, 2018

Cutting edge: Transcriptional activity of NFATc1 is enhanced by the Pim-1 kinase

Eeva-Marja Rainio1, Jouko Sandholm, Päivi J Koskinen

  • 1Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku/Abo Akademi University, and Turku Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Turku, Finland.

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|February 2, 2002
PubMed

Insights

The oncogenic kinase Pim-1 interacts with and phosphorylates the NFATc1 transcription factor. This phosphorylation enhances interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and lymphoid cell proliferation, revealing a novel regulatory pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Pim-1 is an oncogenic serine/threonine kinase involved in signal transduction and lymphoid malignancies.
  • The exact function and physiological substrates of Pim-1 remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between Pim-1 and the NFATc1 transcription factor.
  • To elucidate the role of Pim-1 in regulating NFATc1 activity and its downstream effects on lymphoid cells.

Main Methods:

  • Co-immunoprecipitation to assess physical interaction between Pim-1 and NFATc1.
  • In vitro kinase assays to determine phosphorylation of NFATc1 by Pim-1.
  • Reporter gene assays in Jurkat T cells to measure NFATc1-dependent transactivation and IL-2 production.

Main Results:

  • Pim-1 physically interacts with NFATc1.
  • Pim-1 phosphorylates NFATc1 on multiple serine residues in vitro.
  • Wild-type Pim-1 enhances NFATc1-dependent transactivation and IL-2 production, while kinase-deficient mutants inhibit these processes.

Conclusions:

  • Pim-1 regulates NFATc1 activity through phosphorylation, representing a novel regulatory mechanism.
  • Pim-1 acts as a downstream effector of Ras, facilitating IL-2-dependent proliferation and survival in lymphoid cells.

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