SOCS (Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling) proteins attenuate Cytokine and Tyrosine Kinase receptor signaling pathways (including those that regulate the immune system) by providing a negative feedback signal to prevent excessive cellular activation that can be lethal. The SOCS proteins regulate signal transduction by combining direct inhibitory interactions with cytokine and/or TYK receptors and signaling proteins such as the JAKs (Janus Kinases), STATs (Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription) or IRS (Insulin Receptor Substrates) family members, with a generic mechanism of targeting associated proteins for degradation by the proteasome (Ref.1).
The SOCS family (also termed as: SSI [STAT-induced STAT Inhibitors], CIS [Cytokine Inducible SH2 containing protein], and JAB [JAK Binding Protein]) contains eight members, SOCS1 through SOCS7 and CIS, each of [...]