Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
07:23
Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome
Published on: June 15, 2016
The function of Stat3 in tumor cells and their microenvironment
Bernd Groner1, Peter Lucks, Corina Borghouts
1Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Biomedical Research, Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse 42-44, D-60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. groner@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|July 16, 2008
Summary
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is crucial in cell signaling and cancer. Aberrant Stat3 activation in tumors highlights its potential as a drug target for cancer therapy and immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is a key transcription factor mediating cytokine and growth factor signaling.
- Dysregulated Stat3 activation is implicated in tumor development and progression, making it a significant drug target.
- Stat3 activity is tightly regulated by transient activation/deactivation mechanisms, including kinases, phosphatases, SOCS, and PIAS proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted roles of Stat3 in normal cellular functions and its aberrant activation in cancer.
- To explore the regulatory mechanisms governing Stat3 activity, including its nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling and interactions with other molecules.
- To highlight the translational research potential of Stat3 for innovative drug development in oncology and immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Stat3 function, regulation, and aberrant activation in cancer.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms controlling Stat3 activity, including protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications.
- Discussion of Stat3's role in immune cell communication within the tumor microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Stat3 participates in diverse cellular processes beyond conventional transcriptional regulation, including interactions with cytoplasmic molecules.
- Evidence suggests Stat3's involvement in both transcriptional induction and suppression through high molecular weight complexes.
- Aberrant Stat3 activation is a common feature in tumors, influencing cell proliferation, survival, and immune evasion.
Conclusions:
- Stat3 is a critical regulator of cell signaling with complex regulatory networks.
- The aberrant activation of Stat3 in cancer presents a promising therapeutic target.
- Understanding Stat3's intricate functions is vital for developing novel cancer treatments and immunotherapies.
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as SH2...
01:22PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast, mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...