signal transducer and activator of transcription 4
Last updated 8 Sept 2025
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The STAT4 gene provides instructions for a protein that acts as a transcription factor, which means that it attaches (binds) to specific regions of DNA and helps control the activity of certain genes. The STAT4 protein is turned on (activated) by immune system proteins called cytokines, which are part of the inflammatory response to fight infection. When activated, the STAT4 protein increases the activity of genes that help immune cells called T-cells mature into specialized T-cells. These specialized T-cells, called Th1 cells, produce specific cytokines and stimulate other immune cells to get rid of foreign invaders (pathogens) in the cell.
Normal function
The STAT4 gene provides instructions for a protein that acts as a transcription factor, which means that it attaches (binds) to specific regions of DNA and helps control the activity of certain genes. The STAT4 protein is turned on (activated) by immune system proteins called cytokines, which are part of the inflammatory response to fight infection. When activated, the STAT4 protein increases the activity of genes that help immune cells called T-cells mature into specialized T-cells. These specialized T-cells, called Th1 cells, produce specific cytokines and stimulate other immune cells to get rid of foreign invaders (pathogens) in the cell.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
SLEB11
STAT4_HUMAN
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Further reading and references
- signal transducer and activator of transcription 4; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Allanore Y, Dieude P, Boileau C. Updating the genetics of systemic sclerosis. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2010 Nov;22(6):665-70. doi: 10.1097/BOR.0b013e32833d110a.
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- Rueda B, Broen J, Simeon C, Hesselstrand R, Diaz B, Suarez H, Ortego-Centeno N, Riemekasten G, Fonollosa V, Vonk MC, van den Hoogen FH, Sanchez-Roman J, Aguirre-Zamorano MA, Garcia-Portales R, Pros A, Camps MT, Gonzalez-Gay MA, Coenen MJ, Airo P, Beretta L, Scorza R, van Laar J, Gonzalez-Escribano MF, Nelson JL, Radstake TR, Martin J. The STAT4 gene influences the genetic predisposition to systemic sclerosis phenotype. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Jun 1;18(11):2071-7. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddp119. Epub 2009 Mar 13.
- Thieu VT, Yu Q, Chang HC, Yeh N, Nguyen ET, Sehra S, Kaplan MH. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 is required for the transcription factor T-bet to promote T helper 1 cell-fate determination. Immunity. 2008 Nov 14;29(5):679-90. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2008.08.017.
- Watford WT, Hissong BD, Bream JH, Kanno Y, Muul L, O'Shea JJ. Signaling by IL-12 and IL-23 and the immunoregulatory roles of STAT4. Immunol Rev. 2004 Dec;202:139-56. doi: 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2004.00211.x.
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