Mitochondrial Stat3, the Need for Design Thinking

作者:Yang Rui; Rincon Mercedes*
来源:International Journal of Biological Sciences, 2016, 12(5): 532-544.
DOI:10.7150/ijbs.15153

摘要

Stat3 has been studied extensively as a transcription factor, however the finding that Stat3 also localizes to mitochondria has opened a new area to discover non-classical functions. Here we review the current knowledge of mitochondrial Stat3 as a regulator of the electron transport chain (ETC) and its impact on mitochondrial production of ATP and ROS. We also describe recent findings identifying Stat3 as a regulator of mitochondrial Ca' homeostasis through its effect on the ETC. It is becoming evident that these non -classical functions of Stat3 can have a major impact on cancer progression, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory diseases. Therefore, mitochondrial Stat3 functions challenge the current design of therapies that solely target Stat3 as a transcription factor and suggest the need for "design thinking," which leads to the development of novel strategies, to intervene the Stat3 pathway.

  • 出版日期2016