Figure 1.

Injury-induced STAT3 axonal translation and retrograde transport promotes sensory neurons survival. Following the peripheral nerve injury, Ca²⁺ influx activates STAT3 local protein synthesis. The newly synthesized STAT3 is phosphorylated and binds to the retrograde molecular motor dynein via the nuclear import factor importin α5. Retrograde transport of the STAT3 injury signal complex back to the DRG cell body activates the transcription of target genes to induce a survival program. Whether STAT3 expression and activation in DRG cell body plays a similar or distinct role following the injury remains to be determined.