Advances in Biological Functions of STAT3

Dear Colleagues,

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 is a transcription factor activated by a wide variety of cytokine and growth factor receptors and oncogenes under both physiological and pathological conditions. Accordingly, its activities are involved in regulating many distinct processes including immune cells differentiation and function, embryonic stem cells pluripotency, proliferation, apoptosis and cell survival, autophagy, cell metabolism, migration and adhesion. Unrestrained STAT3 activity is often detected in tumors, driving multiple pro-oncogenic functions. Thus, STAT3 is considered as an oncogene and is the object of intense translational studies. On the other hand, one of STAT3 distinctive features is its ability to elicit different and sometimes opposite effects under different conditions. For example, STAT3 activities can be either pro-oncogenic or tumor-suppressive depending on tumor type and aetiology. The molecular bases underlining STAT3 multitasking features are still incompletely understood but include the interplay of different post-translational modifications, multiple and cell-specific interactors, and regulated sub-cellular localization and activities.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an updated vision of STAT3 biological functions as indicated, but not limited, by the keywords below. To this end, we welcome experts in the field to contribute research papers, review articles, theories, hypotheses, or commentaries on the various aspects of STAT3 function and regulation.

Prof. Dr. Valeria Poli
Guest Editor

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