STATs are transcription factors that can be phosphorylated normally by a cell surface receptor such as cytokine receptors, followed by dimerization and nuclear translocation where they bind to DNA and activate transcription of their target genes. STATs are involved in embryogenesis, cellular immunity, and cell proliferation [S Akira (1999)].
Many types of cancers both solid tumor and some blood based malignancies have been found to exhibit constitutive STAT activation [Ralf Buettner (2002)]. Interestingly, the activation within these cancer cells is generally a combination of STATs, typically STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5. This has led to an increase in research revolving around the complex family of STATs.
Oncogenesis and tumour progression are supported by alterations in cell signaling. Using flow cytometry, it is now possible to track and analyze signaling events in individual cancer cells [Jonathan M. Irish (2006)]. Single cell resolution of signaling molecules allows for a greater understanding of the elaborate processes that occur when cells transform and begin replicating uncontrollably.
Millipore’s FlowCellect STAT Activation kit includes three directly conjugated phospho specific antibodies: pSTAT1(Tyr701)-PerCP, pSTAT3(Tyr705)-Alexa 488, and pSTAT5A/B(Tyr694/Tyr699)-PE along with optimized fixation, permeabilization, wash and flow buffers to provide researchers with a complete solution for simultaneously detecting the activation of three of the most studied STAT proteins in their preferred cellular system.