Final answer:
The activation of transcription factors AP-1, NF-κB, and NFAT through a ZAP-70-mediated signal transduction pathway is crucial for the clonal expansion and differentiation of naive T cells into effector T cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The activation and differentiation of naive T cells to effector T cells rely on the activation of the transcription factor(s) AP-1, NF-κB, and NFAT through a ZAP-70-mediated signal transduction pathway.
First, the T cell receptor (TCR) on naive T cells recognizes a specific foreign epitope presented within the MHC II molecule on an antigen-presenting cell (APC). This recognition triggers a signal transduction pathway that involves the activation of ZAP-70.
ZAP-70 then phosphorylates several proteins, including the transcription factors AP-1, NF-κB, and NFAT. These phosphorylated transcription factors translocate to the nucleus and activate gene expression, leading to the clonal expansion and differentiation of naive T cells into effector T cells.