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Review
. 2015 Fall;17(3):395-411.
doi: 10.22074/cellj.2015.1. Epub 2015 Oct 7.

STATs: An Old Story, Yet Mesmerizing

Saeid Abroun  1 , Najmaldin Saki  2 , Mohammad Ahmadvand  1 , Farahnaz Asghari  3 , Fatemeh Salari  2 , Fakher Rahim  4
Affiliations
Review

STATs: An Old Story, Yet Mesmerizing

Saeid Abroun et al. Cell J. 2015 Fall.

Abstract

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are cytoplasmic transcription factors that have a key role in cell fate. STATs, a protein family comprised of seven members, are proteins which are latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that convey signals from the cell surface to the nucleus through activation by cytokines and growth factors. The signaling pathways have diverse biological functions that include roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, development, apoptosis, and inflammation which place them at the center of a very active area of research. In this review we explain Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT signaling and focus on STAT3, which is transient from cytoplasm to nucleus after phosphorylation. This procedure controls fundamental biological processes by regulating nuclear genes controlling cell proliferation, survival, and development. In some hematopoietic disorders and cancers, overexpression and activation of STAT3 result in high proliferation, suppression of cell differentiation and inhibition of cell maturation. This article focuses on STAT3 and its role in malignancy, in addition to the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) on STAT3 activation in certain cancers.

Keywords: JAK; Malignancy; STAT; Signaling Pathways; miRNA.

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Figures

Fig.1
Fig.1
Schematic structure of Janus kinases (JAK). JH; JAK homology domain. Kinase domain is located in JH1. JH2 has pseudokinase activity.
Fig.2
Fig.2
Schematic signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) structure. A. Inactive form of STAT monomer before C-terminal tyrosine (Y) phosphorylation and B. STAT dimerization and activation after C-terminal tyrosin (Y) phosphorylation (three angles) and bound to the SH2 domain of the other juxta STAT. SH2; Src homology 2 and NH2; Amino terminal.
Fig.3
Fig.3
Cytokines induce Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway activation. Expression of STAT target gene is dependent on STAT types as well as cell types. IL; Interleukin, INF; Interferon, ERK; Extracellular regulated MAP kinase, PI3K; Phosphoinositide 3-kinase and TYK; Tyrosine kinases.
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