Ready, STAT, go: transcription factors on the move

Abstract

EMBO J 31 6, 1350–1363 (2012); published online January 13 2012

In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Ben-Yaakov et al (2012) explore the contribution of transcription factors (TFs) in directly communicating information about injury between the axon and the nucleus. They show that multiple TFs bind the retrograde molecular motor dynein in injured axons. Focusing on one TF family, the authors reveal that STAT3 is locally translated and activated in injured axons, and then transported retrogradely to the nucleus to promote survival of peripheral sensory neurons.

Figure 1

Injury-induced STAT3 axonal translation and retrograde transport promotes sensory neurons survival. Following the peripheral nerve injury, Ca²⁺ influx activates STAT3 local protein synthesis. The newly synthesized STAT3 is phosphorylated and binds to the retrograde molecular motor dynein via the nuclear import factor importin α5. Retrograde transport of the STAT3 injury signal complex back to the DRG cell body activates the transcription of target genes to induce a survival program. Whether STAT3 expression and activation in DRG cell body plays a similar or distinct role following the injury remains to be determined.