Function
NFAT3, a calcium-regulated transcription factor, plays a critical role in various biological processes, including the development and function of the immune, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems. It is implicated in T-cell activation by stimulating the transcription of cytokine genes, such as IL2 and IL4. Along with NFATC3, NFAT3 is involved in embryonic heart development. It contributes to mitochondrial energy metabolism essential for cardiac morphogenesis and function. NFAT3 transactivates numerous genes involved in the cardiovascular system, including AGTR2, NPPB/BNP (in synergy with GATA4), NPPA/ANP/ANF, and MYH7/beta-MHC. NFAT3 participates in regulating adult hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF-driven pro-survival signaling in hippocampal adult-born neurons. It is involved in the formation of long-term spatial memory and long-term potentiation. In cochlear nucleus neurons, NFAT3 may play a role in deafferentation-induced apoptosis during the developmental critical period, when auditory neurons rely on afferent input for survival. It binds to and activates the BACE1/Beta-secretase 1 promoter, potentially regulating the proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). NFAT3 plays a role in adipocyte differentiation and may be involved in myoblast differentiation into myotubes. It binds to the consensus DNA sequence 5'-GGAAAAT-3' (Probable). In the presence of CREBBP, NFAT3 activates TNF transcription. It binds to the PPARG gene promoter and regulates its activity. Additionally, it binds to PPARG and REG3G gene promoters.