STAT protein
STAT Protein
STAT protein (pronounced /stæt/ proh-teen), also known as Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription protein, is a type of protein that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes such as cell division, cell death, and immune response.
Etymology
The term "STAT" is an acronym for Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription. This name is derived from the protein's function as a signal transducer in the cytoplasm and its role in activating transcription in the cell nucleus.
Function
STAT proteins are part of the cytokine signaling pathway. They are activated by a process called phosphorylation, which is carried out by Janus kinase (JAK). Once activated, STAT proteins move to the cell nucleus where they act as transcription factors, influencing the expression of certain genes.
Types
There are seven known types of STAT proteins in mammals: STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5A, STAT5B, and STAT6. Each type has a specific function and is associated with different cellular processes and diseases.
Related Terms
- Cytokine: A type of protein that plays an important role in cell signaling.
- Janus kinase (JAK): A family of intracellular, non-receptor tyrosine kinases that transduce cytokine-mediated signals via the JAK-STAT pathway.
- Transcription factor: A protein that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA.
- Phosphorylation: A biochemical process that involves the addition of a phosphate group to a protein or other organic molecule.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on STAT protein
- Wikipedia's article - STAT protein
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