R-Symmetry, twisted N=2 Theory and the Role of the Dilaton

We discuss R-symmetry in locally supersymmetric $N=2$ gauge theories coupled to hypermultiplets, which can be viewed as effective theories of heterotic string models. In this type of supergravities a suitable R-symmetry exists and can be used to topologically twist the theory. The vector multiplet of the dilaton-axion field has a different R-charge assignment with respect to the other vector multiplets.