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Sci. STKE, 26 August 2003
Vol. 2003, Issue 197, p. cm11
[DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.1972003cm11]

CONNECTIONS MAP OVERVIEWS

The JAK-STAT Pathway

David S. Aaronson and Curt M. Horvath*

Immunobiology Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.

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Abstract: The Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway transmits information received from extracellular polypeptide signals, through transmembrane receptors, directly to transcription factors that bind target gene promoters in the nucleus. This process provides a mechanism for transcriptional regulation without second messengers. Evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotic organisms from slime molds to humans, JAK-STAT signaling appears to be an early adaptation to facilitate intercellular communication that has coevolved with myriad cellular signaling events. This coevolution has given rise to highly adapted, ligand-specific signaling pathways that control gene expression. In addition, the JAK-STAT signaling pathways are regulated by a vast array of intrinsic and environmental stimuli, which can add plasticity to the response of a cell or tissue. The Connections Map provides a generalized view of this JAK-STAT signaling, with additional Connections Maps highlighting the components that are activated by type I interferons (IFN-α/β), IFN-{gamma}, and interleukins and growth factors that activate STAT3.

Science Viewpoint

D. S. Aaronson, C. M. Horvath, A road map for those who don't know JAK-STAT. Science 296, 1653-1655 (2002).[Abstract] [Full Text]

*Corresponding author. E-mail, curt.horvath{at}mssm.edu

Citation: D. S. Aaronson, C. M. Horvath, The JAK-STAT Pathway. Sci. STKE 2003, cm11 (2003).

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