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Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay
12:26

Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay

Published on: May 3, 2018

NFATc2 Ser170 phosphorylation marks mitosis in development and ES cells

Cantas Alev, Yuping Wu, Fumie Nakazawa

    Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.)
    |April 28, 2009
    PubMed

    Insights

    Phosphorylation of NFATc2 at serine 170 marks the M phase of the cell cycle. This finding reveals a novel role for NFATc2 in cell cycle regulation beyond T cell activation.

    Area of Science:

    • Cell Biology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Immunology

    Background:

    • NFATc2 (nuclear factor of activated T cells 2) is a transcription factor primarily studied for its role in T cell activation and proliferation.
    • It is a key target for immunosuppressive drugs, influencing immune responses.
    • Emerging evidence indicates NFATc2 also regulates cell cycle progression in both immune and non-immune cells.

    Discussion:

    • This study identifies a specific phosphorylation site (p-Ser170) on NFATc2.
    • This phosphorylation event serves as a marker for the M phase (mitosis) of the cell cycle.
    • The findings were observed in embryonic development and in cultured cells, including fibroblasts and embryonic stem (ES) cells.

    Key Insights:

    • NFATc2 phosphorylation at Ser170 is a reliable indicator of the M phase.
    • NFATc2's function extends to regulating cell cycle progression, independent of its canonical role in T cell activation.
    • The study utilized a specific monoclonal antibody targeting phospho-NFATc2 (p-Ser170) for precise detection.

    Outlook:

    • Further investigation into the upstream kinases and downstream effectors of p-Ser170 NFATc2.
    • Exploring the implications of NFATc2's cell cycle role in developmental processes and diseases.
    • Potential for developing new therapeutic strategies targeting NFATc2 phosphorylation in cell cycle-related disorders.

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