Distinct Spatial Ca2+ Signatures Selectively Activate Different NFAT Transcription Factor Isoforms

Protein isoforms are widely expressed in biological systems. How isoforms that co-exist within the same sub-cellular domain are differentially activated remains unclear. Here, we compare the regulatory mechanism of two closely related transcription factor isoforms, NFAT1 and NFAT4, that migrate from the cytoplasm to the nucleus following the increase in intracellular Ca2+ that accompanies the opening of store-operated Orai1/CRAC channels. We demonstrate that NFAT1 has a private line of communication with Orai1, activating in response to Ca2+ microdomains near the open channels. By contrast, NFAT4 stimulation requires both local Ca2+ entry and a nuclear Ca2+ rise. We mapped differences in nuclear location to amino acids within the SP-3 motif of the NFAT regulatory domain. The different Ca2+ dependencies enable agonists to recruit different isoform combinations as stimulus strength increases. Our study uncovers a mechanism whereby co-existing cytoplasmic transcription factor isoforms are differentially activated by distinct sub-cellular Ca2+ signals.