What are JAKs and their Role in Cellular Function?
Janus kinases, commonly known as JAKs, are a family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases that play a crucial role in the signaling pathways of various cytokines and growth factors. They are integral to the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, which is essential for transmitting information from extracellular chemical signals to the cell nucleus, resulting in DNA transcription and subsequent cellular functions. The four members of the JAK family are JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2. They are involved in processes like cell growth, differentiation, and immune regulation.
