{"symbol":"STAT6","synonyms":["D12S1644","IL-4-STAT","STAT6B","STAT6C"],"name":"signal transducer and activator of transcription 6, interleukin-4 induced","description":"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. This protein plays a central role in exerting IL4 mediated biological responses. It is found to induce the expression of BCL2L1/BCL-X(L), which is responsible for the anti-apoptotic activity of IL4. Knockout studies in mice suggested the roles of this gene in differentiation of T helper 2 (Th2) cells, expression of cell surface markers, and class switch of immunoglobulins. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.[provided by RefSeq, May 2010]","ncbiEntrezGeneId":6778,"ncbiEntrezGeneUrl":"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6778","proteins":[{"symbol":"STAT6_HUMAN","href":"/api/1.0/protein/STAT6_HUMAN"}],"hgncRootFamilies":[{"name":"SH2 domain containing","href":"/api/1.0/gene_family/SH2+domain+containing"}]}