Definition
The Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway is activated in response to more than 50 cytokines, hormones, and growth factors. As their name implies, the STAT proteins exhibit the dual function of transducing signals from the cell surface into the nucleus as well as activating transcription of target genes, thus converting extracellular stimuli into a wide range of cellular responses. STATs have been identified as important regulators of a multitude of cellular processes, such as immune response, antiviral protection, and proliferation.
Basic Characteristics
The JAK-STAT pathway is widely used by members of the cytokine receptor superfamily. Upon ligand binding and oligomerization of the cognate receptor chains, the receptor-associated JAKs themselves become tyrosine phosphorylated and consecutively phosphorylate critical tyrosine residues on the cytoplasmic domain of the receptors, thereby generating docking sites for STAT...
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Meyer, T., Vinkemeier, U. (2021). JAK-STAT Pathway. In: Offermanns, S., Rosenthal, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Molecular Pharmacology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57401-7_157
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57401-7_157
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