STAT5A-gene

STAT5A (Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription 5A) is a protein coding gene located on chromosome 17q21.2. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the STAT family of transcription factors. In response to cytokines and growth factors, STAT family members are phosphorylated by receptor-associated kinases and then form homo- or heterodimers that translocate to the nucleus where they act as transcriptional activators.

STA5B is activated by many cell ligands such as IL2, IL3, IL7 GM-CSF, erythropoietin, thrombopoietin and various growth hormones and mediates their responses. Activation of this protein in myeloma and lymphoma associated with TEL/JAK2 gene fusion is independent of cell stimulus and has been shown to be essential for tumor induction.

Diseases associated with STAT5A include chronic leukemia and polycythaemia vera.

Related pathways include the ERK pathway and the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) pathway. An important paralog of this gene is STAT5B.

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2. Heltemes-Harris LM et al (2012) The role of STAT5 in lymphocyte development and transformation. Curr. Opin. Immunol 24:146-152.
3. Rawlings JS et al (2004) The JAK/STAT signaling pathway. . Cell Sci 117:1281-1283.
4. Yamaoka K et al (2004) The Janus kinases (Jaks) Genome Biol5:253.