title: Mitochondrial STAT3 and reactive oxygen species: A fulcrum of adipogenesis?
abstract: The balance between cellular lineages can be controlled by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cellular differentiation into adipocytes is highly dependent on the production of ROS to initiate the process through activation of multiple interlinked factors that stimulate mitotic clonal expansion and cellular maturation. The signal transducer and activator of transcription family of signaling proteins have accepted roles in adipogenesis and associated lipogenesis. Non-canonical mitochondrial localization of STAT3 and other members of the STAT family however opens up new avenues for investigation of its role in the aforementioned processes. Following recent observations of differences in mitochondrially localized serine 727 phosphorylated STAT3 (mtSTAT3-pS727) in preadipocytes and adipocytes, here, we hypothesize and speculate further on the role of mitochondrial STAT3 in adipogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Innovation Center; Rhodes University ; Grahamstown, South Africa.
authors.forename: Adam H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Innovation Center; Rhodes University ; Grahamstown, South Africa.
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kadye
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Innovation Center; Rhodes University ; Grahamstown, South Africa.
authors.forename: Pascalene S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Houseman
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Innovation Center; Rhodes University ; Grahamstown, South Africa.
authors.forename: Earl
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Prinsloo
keywords: STAT3; adipogenesis; mitochondria; reactive oxygen species; signal transducer and activator of transcription 3