STA3-gene

STAT3 is the acronym for "Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription 3" and is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 17q21.2.

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the STAT protein family, which comprises 7 members. In response to cytokines and growth factors, members of the STAT family are phosphorylated by the receptor-associated kinases and then form homo- or heterodimers that translocate to the nucleus where they act as transcriptional activators. STAT3 is activated by phosphorylation in response to various cytokines and growth factors such as IFNs, EGF, IL5, IL6, HGF, LIF and BMP2. Forms a homodimer or a heterodimer with a related family member (at least STAT1). STAT3 mediates the expression of a variety of genes in response to cell stimuli and thus plays a key role in many cellular processes such as cell growth and apoptosis. The STAT3 gene also plays a role in regulating the host response to viral and bacterial infections. Mutations in this gene are associated with childhood autoimmune disease (multisystem, infantile onset) and hyper-immunoglobulin E syndrome.

An important paralog of this gene is STAT1.

1. Hou T et al (2007) The functional role of an interleukin 6-inducible CDK9.STAT3 complex in human gamma-fibrinogen gene expression. J Biol Chem 282:37091-37102.
2. Parham C et al. (2002) A receptor for the heterodimeric cytokine IL-23 is composed of IL-12Rbeta1 and a novel cytokine receptor subunit, IL-23R. J Immunol 168:5699-5708.
3. Tsai YT et al (2000) Etk, a Btk family tyrosine kinase, mediates cellular transformation by linking Src to STAT3 activation. Mol Cell Biol 20:2043-2054.