title: The biology of Stat4 and Stat6.
abstract: IL-4 and IL-12 are cytokines that are important regulators of the proliferation, differentiation and functional capacity of lymphocytes. STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription) are transcription factors that provide a direct link between the cytokine receptors and cytokine induced gene transcription. Stat6 and Stat4 are two STAT family members that specifically mediate signals that emanate from the IL-4 and IL-12 receptors, respectively. Recently a great deal of progress has been made in understanding the specific roles that Stat6 and Stat4 play in lymphocyte function through in vitro as well as in vivo studies using Stat6 and Stat4-deficient mice. This report will summarize and describe the recent advances made in understanding the activation and regulation of Stat6 and Stat4 as well as their roles in the development of an immune response. Oncogene (2000).
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Wurster
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Grusby
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor; D015398:Signal Transduction; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor; C494090:STAT4 protein, human; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor; C494101:STAT6 protein, human; C494091:Stat4 protein, mouse; C494100:Stat6 protein, mouse; D015534:Trans-Activators; D018664:Interleukin-12