Patent ID: 6875571

Claim:
A method for identifying an immunosuppressive agent, comprising: (i) providing a cell containing NF-ATc polypeptide which is encoded by a nucleic acid that hybridizes under conditions of 5×SSc at 42° C. to SEQ ID NO:45 and has one or more of the following biological activities: (a) binds calcineurin; (b) undergoes nuclear localization upon T cell activation; and (c) activates gene transcription upon T cell activation; (ii) contacting the cell of (i) with a compound that induces nuclear translocation of the NF-ATc polypeptide; (iii) contacting the cell before, during or after step (ii), with a test agent; and (iv) assaying for nuclear translocation of the NF-ATc polypeptide, wherein an inhibition of nuclear transport in the cell relative to a cell that was not contacted with the test agent indicates that the test agent is a candidate immunosuppressive agent.