STAT3 Revs Up the Powerhouse

Tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) promotes their dimerization and ability to bind target genes in the nucleus. However, evidence shows that one member of the STAT family, STAT3, has an additional property independent of its classical role in the nucleus. STAT3 modifed by serine phosphorylation augmented oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria and supported cellular transformation by oncogenic Ras.