STAT Activators

STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription) are a family of seven transcription factors that form part of the JAK-STAT signaling cascade. This cascade is the basis of the signal transduction mechanism for many cytokine receptors. Once activated by phosphorylation by JAKs, STATs translocate to the nucleus.

Accumulation of STATs in the nucleus is both rapid and tightly controlled. A number of factors regulate the JAK-STAT pathway including STAT dephosphorylation by phosphatases, altered nuclear import-export dynamics of STAT, and STAT gene activation antagonists such as SOCS (suppressors of cytokine signaling) and PIAS (Protein Inhibitors of Activated STATs).