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Updated: Jul 30, 2026

Differentiation of Mouse Breast Epithelial HC11 and EpH4 Cells
Published on: February 27, 2020
Neoplastic transformation by the gep oncogene, Galpha12, involves signaling by STAT3
R N Kumar1, S K Shore, N Dhanasekaran
1Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, 3307 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
The Galpha(12) oncogene activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. This pathway involves multiple kinases and is critical for Galpha(12)-mediated neoplastic cell growth and transformation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Galpha(12) (the gep oncogene) promotes cell growth and transformation.
- Previous studies linked Galpha(12) to PDGFRalpha and JAK3 in oncogenic pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism by which Galpha(12) activates STAT3.
- To determine the role of STAT3 in Galpha(12)-mediated neoplastic transformation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized GTPase-deficient Galpha(12) mutants and dominant-negative STAT3 (STAT3DB).
- Investigated STAT3 phosphorylation at Tyrosine-705 and Serine-727 residues.
- Analyzed foci formation and anchorage-independent growth.
Main Results:
- Galpha(12) activates STAT3 phosphorylation at Tyr705 via JAK3 and Src kinases.
- Galpha(12) activates STAT3 phosphorylation at Ser727 via PDGFRalpha and PI3K.
- STAT3DB inhibited Galpha(12)QL-induced neoplastic growth, confirming STAT3's essential role.
Conclusions:
- Galpha(12) recruits multiple kinases (receptor, nonreceptor, Ser/Thr) to activate STAT3 signaling.
- STAT3 is a critical mediator of Galpha(12)-induced neoplastic transformation.
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