Stat4 - signal transducer and activator of transcription 4

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the STAT family of transcription factors. In response to cytokines and growth factors, STAT family members are phosphorylated by the receptor associated kinases, and then form homo- or heterodimers that translocate to the cell nucleus where they act as transcription activators. Homozygous knockout mice for this gene exhibit reduced inflammation and cytokine production in response to immune challenge. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2015]