Regulation of transcription factor NFAT by ADP-ribosylation

ADP-ribosylation is a reversible posttranslational modification mediated by poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). The results of recent studies demonstrate that ADP-ribosylation contributes to transcription regulation. Here, we report that transcription factor NFAT binds to and is ADP-ribosylated by PARP-1 in an activation-dependent manner. Mechanistically, ADP-ribosylation increases NFAT DNA binding. Functionally, NFAT-mediated interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression was reduced in T cells upon genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of PARP-1. Parp-1(-/-) T cells also exhibit reduced expression of other NFAT-dependent cytokines, such as IL-4. Together, these results demonstrate that ADP-ribosylation mediated by PARP-1 provides a molecular switch to positively regulate NFAT-dependent cytokine gene transcription. These results also imply that, similar to the effect of calcineurin inhibition, PARP-1 inhibition may be beneficial in modulating immune functions.