The beginning of the STAT

Welcome to the first issue of JAK-STAT, which is the first international journal focusing entirely on the ever expanding field of JAK-STAT signaling. This is particularly timely given the upcoming 20th anniversary of the discovery of the JAK-STAT pathway. Our goal is that JAK-STAT will be the leading primary journal in the field and will provide a comprehensive view of JAK-STAT signaling in basic biology and its role in a variety of diseases. This diversity of themes is reflected in the composition of our editorial board, which includes world-class leaders in these different areas. As usual the editorial board guides the peer review process and the evolution of the journal.

JAK-STAT will in time develop into a journal that will publish novel articles on further understanding of the biological roles of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins and their dysregulation in diseases. STAT proteins were originally named after their role as signal transducers and activators of transcription. STAT proteins are highly conserved among species, thus reflecting the importance of these transcription factors in controlling processes such as development, cell growth and homeostasis. STAT1 and STAT2 were the first STAT genes identified in the interferon signal transduction pathways. Since then seven more STATs have been identified including STAT3, STAT4, STAT5A, STAT5B and STAT6.

The journal will provide a forum where a variety of clinical and biological issues will be discussed and where the common basic principles of JAK-STAT signaling in different systems will be revealed and shared. It is becoming clear that JAK-STAT signaling covers a range of biological themes including, transcription and regulation, stem cell biology, cell death, growth and development, endocrinology and cellular metabolism, cardiovascular biology, neuroscience biology, infection and immunity, viral diseases and cancer biology. The enormous number of published studies on STAT proteins over the past two decades has enhanced our understanding of how STAT proteins regulate gene expression at the biochemical and molecular level and how dysregulation of JAK-STAT signaling may result in diseases.

We recognize that our first issue is just a first small step, but we hope that it will be one that leads to a journal that will serve as the flagship of the JAK-STAT field. The success of the journal depends on the continuous and unswerving support of the research community by submitting the best papers to the journal, by participation in the review process and the editorial process and by contribution of suggestions and ideas.

Our first issue includes examples of each of the different areas that we hope to see covered in the journal in the future. The first issue also starts with an editorial by James Darnell, whose laboratory was one of the early discoverers of STAT proteins.

We hope that with the support of the members of the JAK-STAT community we will be able to establish a journal of which we all will be proud.