Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) gene is mapped to human chromosome 2q32.2. It is part of the STAT family of proteins. STAT1 exists in two isoforms, STAT1α and STAT1β with molecular weight of 91kDa and 84kDa, respectively. The protein shows ubiquitous expression.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) plays a vital role in interferon (IFN) signaling. Phospho-STAT1 regulates pro- and anti-apoptotic genes following several stress-induced responses. It interacts with p53 and promotes p53-mediated transcriptional gene activity and apoptosis. STAT1 is also an essential factor of stress-induced and DNA damage-induced checkpoint pathways and thus, acts as a tumor suppressor.
