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World J Biol Chem. May 26, 2014; 5(2): 231-239
Published online May 26, 2014. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v5.i2.231
Regulation and function of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
Qian-Rong Qi, Zeng-Ming Yang
Qian-Rong Qi, Zeng-Ming Yang, Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, Guangdong Province, China
Zeng-Ming Yang, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Qi QR and Yang ZM conceived and wrote this paper.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30930013
Correspondence to: Zeng-Ming Yang, PhD, Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, No. 483 Five Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong Province, China. zmyang@scau.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-20-85282010 Fax: +86-20-85282010
Received: November 10, 2013
Revised: January 7, 2014
Accepted: January 17, 2014
Published online: May 26, 2014
Abstract

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a member of the STAT family, is a key regulator of many physiological and pathological processes. Significant progress has been made in understanding the transcriptional control, posttranslational modification, cellular localization and functional regulation of STAT3. STAT3 can translocate into the nucleus and bind to specific promoter sequences, thereby exerting transcriptional regulation. Recent studies have shown that STAT3 can also translocate into mitochondria, participating in aerobic respiration and apoptosis. In addition, STAT3 plays an important role in inflammation and tumorigenesis by regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and metabolism. Conditional knockout mouse models make it possible to study the physiological function of STAT3 in specific tissues and organs. This review summarizes the latest advances in the understanding of the expression, regulation and function of STAT3 in physiological and tumorigenic processes.

Keywords: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, Phosphorylation, Acetylation, Signal pathway, Tumor

Core tip: The differential subcellular localization of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 makes it play distinct functions in transcriptional regulation, cell proliferation and cellular respiration, thus contributing to development, reproduction and tumorigenesis in physiological and pathological conditions.