Identification of STAT target genes in adipocytes.
Adipocytes play important roles in lipid storage, energy homeostasis and whole body insulin sensitivity. Studies in the last two decades have identified the hormones and cytokines that activate specific STATs in adipocytes in vitro and in vivo. Five of the seven STAT family members are expressed in adipocyte (STATs 1, 3, 5A, 5B and 6). Many transcription factors, including STATs, have been shown to play an important role in adipose tissue development and function. This review will summarize the importance of adipocytes, indicate the cytokines and hormones that utilize the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in fat cells and focus on the identification of STAT target genes in mature adipocytes. To date, specific target genes have been identified for STATs, 1, 5A and 5B, but not for STATs 3 and 6.
Department of Biological Sciences; Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, LA USA ; Adipocyte Biology Lab; Pennington Biomedical Research Center; Baton Rouge, LA USA.
Peng
P
Zhao
Jacqueline M
JM
Stephens
STAT; adipocyte; adipocytes; adipose tissue; transcription