NFAT transcription factors control HIV-1 expression through a binding site downstream of TAR region.

NFAT factors control HIV-1 transcription. We show here that, in addition to binding to two NF-kappaB/NFAT sites within the U3 HIV LTR, NFATc1 and NFATc2 bind to an NFAT site within the LTR's U5 region. Mutations in this site which abolish NFAT binding reduce the ability of NFATs to transactivate LTR-mediated transcription. Mutations in all three NFAT sites strongly interfered with LTR induction, but affected moderately the stimulatory effect of Tat.