Description
Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOCS3 gene. It is transiently expressed by multiple cell lineages within the immune system and functions predominantly as a negative regulator of cytokines that activate the JAK-STAT3 pathway. This gene encodes a member of the STAT-induced STAT inhibitor(SSI), also known as suppressor of cytokine signaling(SOCS), family. SSI family members are cytokine-inducible negative regulators of cytokine signaling. The expression of this gene is induced by various cytokines, including IL6, IL10, and interferon(IFN)-gamma. The protein encoded by this gene can bind to JAK2 kinase, and inhibit the activity of JAK2 kinase. For signaling of IL-6, Epo, GCSF and Leptin, binding of SOCS3 to the respective cytokine receptor has been found to be crucial for the inhibitory function of SOCS3. Studies of the mouse counterpart of this gene suggested the roles of this gene in the negative regulation of fetal liver hematopoiesis, and placental development