STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) comprise a family of latent cytoplasmic proteins that are activated to participate in gene control when cells encounter various extracellular polypeptides. Their critical role in development and normal cell signaling has been largely determined through the analysis of transgenic mice lacking individual STAT genes.

The STAT proteins are unique among transcription factors in containing an SH2 (src-homology 2), phosphotyrosine-binding domain, a common protein-protein interaction domain among signaling proteins. Tyrosine phosphorylation around residue 700 is essential for the dimerization of STATs and the concomitant nuclear translocation of the dimer. Ligand-activated receptors that catalyze this phosphorylation include receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity (epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and colony-stimulating factor-1) as well as receptors that lack intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity but to which Janus kinases (JAKs) are noncovalently associated. Receptors to which JAKs are bound are often referred to as cytokine receptors. Their ligands include IFN-α, -β and -γ; interleukins (IL) 2 to 7, 10 to 13, and 15; and erythropoietin, growth hormone, prolactin, thrombopoietin and other polypeptides. STAT dimers and heterodimers, but not monomers, are competent to bind DNA. The known DNA binding heterodimers are STAT1:2 (strong binding requires the joint presence of another protein, p48) and STAT1:3. STATs that form homodimers that bind DNA include STAT 1, 3, 4, 5 (STAT5A and 5B interact in a manner equivalent to a heterodimer) and 6.

STAT proteins are involved in a wide variety of biological pathways. STAT1 is involved in the activation of IFNα and IFNγ genes, STAT2 in the activation of IFNα genes, STAT4 and STAT6 in T-helper cell development and STAT5 in milk production. Disruption of STAT functions in mouse leads to several defects such as immune deficiency (STAT1), embryonic lethality (STAT2), lack of gastrulation (STAT3), T-helper 1 cell dysfunction (STAT4), lack of lactation (STAT5A, 5B) and T-helper 2 cell dysfunction (STAT6). The disruption of STAT signaling blocks neoplastic transformation, thus making inhibitors of STAT proteins candidates for the treatment of cancer.

In most cases, STAT activation is transient. Inactivation of STAT proteins is carried out by several mechanisms, including dephosphorylation of STAT proteins in the nucleus and degradation through the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway. A novel family of negative feedback inhibitors of the JAK-STAT pathway has been identified, referred to as suppressor-of-cytokine-signaling (SOCS) proteins/JAK binding (JAB) proteins, and STAT-induced STAT inhibitors (SSIs).

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