Open AccessThe Structure, Regulation and Function of the Janus Kinases (JAKs) and the Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs)
Author(s) -
Pellegrini Sandra,
DusanterFourt Isabelle
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
european journal of biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1432-1033
pISSN - 0014-2956
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1997.00615.x
Subject(s) - janus kinase , jak stat signaling pathway , stat , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , stat protein , phosphorylation , cytokine receptor , transcription factor , signal transduction , stat4 , kinase , receptor tyrosine kinase , janus kinase 1 , stat3 , genetics , gene
Since the discovery of their physiological roles in cytokine signalling, the Janus kinases (JAKs) and the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) have attracted considerable attention, to the point that the concept of a intracellular signalling pathway, named JAWSTAT, has emerged. As originally defined, this pathway involves ligand‐dependent activation of a particular class of receptor‐associated tyrosine kinases, the JAK proteins, which phosphorylate themselves and receptor components, creating recruitment sites for STAT transcription factors. The STATs are phosphorylated, they dissociate from the receptor. JAK complex and translocate to the nucleus where they participate in transcriptional gene activation. Although this pathway was found initially to be activated by interferons, it is now known that a large number of cytokines, growth factors and hormonal factors activate JAK and/or STAT proteins. Recent findings have suggested that the interdependence of JAKs and STATs might not be absolute as originally thought.