1. Cytokine Binding: The pathway is initiated when a cytokine binds to its specific receptor on the cell membrane. 2. JAK Activation: This binding induces a conformational change in the receptor, leading to the activation of associated JAKs through transphosphorylation. 3. STAT Recruitment and Phosphorylation: Activated JAKs then phosphorylate specific tyrosine residues on the receptor, creating docking sites for STAT proteins. The STATs are then phosphorylated by JAKs. 4. Dimerization and Translocation: Phosphorylated STATs dimerize and translocate to the nucleus. 5. Gene Transcription: In the nucleus, the STAT dimers bind to specific DNA sequences, leading to the transcription of target genes.
