The IFN-γ Pathway

The interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) signal transduction pathway closely resembles the canonical Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway. The IFN-γ Pathway is thus a paradigm for most other JAK-STAT pathways that result in dimerization of STAT transcription factors in response to phosphorylation, including the mammalian STAT4, STAT5A, STAT5B, and STAT6, as well as orthologous systems in various organisms. IFN-γ is a crucial component of innate and adaptive immunity. The Connections Map shows activation of STAT1 by JAK1 and JAK2 and includes several negative regulators of the pathway. Science Viewpoint D. S. Aaronson, C. M. Horvath, A road map for those who don't know JAK-STAT. Science 296 , 1653-1655 (2002). [ Abstract ] [ Full Text ]