这个基因编码的蛋白质是转录因子stat家族的一员。在对细胞因子和生长因子的反应中，stat家族成员被受体相关的激酶磷酸化，然后形成homo-或异二聚体，在那里它们作为转录激活因子转移到细胞核。这种蛋白对于调节淋巴细胞对il12的反应和调节t辅助细胞的分化至关重要。该基因突变可能与系统性红斑狼疮和类风湿关节炎有关。交替剪接导致编码相同蛋白质的多个转录变体。

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 is essential for mediating responses to IL12 in lymphocytes, and regulating the differentiation of T helper cells. Mutations in this gene may be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants that encode the same protein.