Description
Product Characteristics: STAT2 is a member of the STAT family of transcription factors. Unlike other STATs, STAT2 is unique as it can only be activated by interferons (IFNs). STAT2 is a critical component in mediating many IFN-stimulated biological activities including antiproliferation and antiviral responses. Upon IFN treatment, STAT1 and STAT2 become tyrosine phosphorylated, assemble as heterodimers that bind IRF9 to form the ISGF3 complex. This complex translocates to the nucleus, binds to promoters of IFN-stimulated genes and mediates gene transcription. Consequently, mutations in STAT2 or loss of STAT2 expression leads to impairment in IFN signal transduction and gene activation. IFN-alpha is an approved drug for the treatment of several forms of cancer. Yet only a subset of patients who receive IFN-alpha therapy benefit from the treatment. Given that STAT2 is activated by IFNs, it is important to define if the reduced or lack of antitumor effects seen in cancer patients on IFN therapy is due to in defects in STAT2 function. Our goal is to identify regions/motifs within the structural domains of STAT2 that not only are essential for the tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT2, but also regulate the antitumor effects of IFN-alpha. Collectively, the results of our studies will emphasize the physiological role of STAT2 in cancer. From a clinical viewpoint, cancer patients who may benefit the most from receiving IFN-alpha therapy can be selected based on their STAT2 function.
Synonyms: Stat2, Signal transducer and activator of transcription 2, p113
Target Information: The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the STAT protein family. In response to cytokines and growth factors, STAT family members are phosphorylated by the receptor associated kinases, and then form homo- or heterodimers that translocate to the cell nucleus where they act as transcription activators. In response to interferon (IFN), this protein forms a complex with STAT1 and IFN regulatory factor family protein p48 (ISGF3G), in which this protein acts as a transactivator, but lacks the ability to bind DNA directly. Transcription adaptor P300/CBP (EP300/CREBBP) has been shown to interact specifically with this protein, which is thought to be involved in the process of blocking IFN-alpha response by adenovirus. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2010]