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Membrane trafficking

Endurance of the weakest signal

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 9, page 743 (2008)Cite this article

...how weak signals can be transmitted effectively to the nucleus...

STAT3 is thought to be phosphorylated (and subsequently activated) downstream of activated receptors at the plasma membrane. Activated STAT3 translocates to the nucleus, where it controls gene expression. Indeed, this is the case for the robust activation of STAT3 by the cytokine oncostatin M. By contrast, MET induces weak STAT3 activation. So, how can a weak STAT3 signal make it to the nucleus? Looking at live cells, the authors found that HGF stimulation caused MET and STAT3 to colocalize on endosomes at the perinuclear region, where STAT3 was phosphorylated.

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References

ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER

  1. Kermorgant, S. & Parker, P. J. Receptor trafficking controls weak signal delivery: a strategy used by c-Met for STAT3 nuclear accumulation. J. Cell Biol. 182, 855–863 (2008)

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FURTHER READING

  1. McShane, M. P. & Zerial, M. Survival of the weakest: signaling aided by endosomes. J. Cell Biol. 182, 823–825 (2008)

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Authors
  1. Ekat Kritikou
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Kritikou, E. Endurance of the weakest signal. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 9, 743 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm2519

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