Table 1.

STATs Structure

Domain	Function
Oligomerization domain	Mediates oligomerization of STAT dimers to form tetramers and interactions with other proteins
DNA binding domain	Mediates distinct signals for specific ligands to define the DNA-binding specificity
SH2 domain	Mediates specific interactions between STAT-receptor, STAT-JAK, and STAT-STAT
COOH-terminal domain	Regulates the transcriptional activity of STATs and provides functional specificity
Tyrosine residue	Phosphorylation site in the COOH-terminal domain approximately 700 residues from the NH2 terminus that regulates the DNA-binding activity
Serine residue	A second phosphorylation site in the COOH-terminal domain except STAT2 and STAT6

Abbreviation: STAT, signal transducer and activator of transcription; JAK, Janus family tyrosine kinases; COOH, carboxy; NH₂, N-terminal.