Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling: Functions in Normal Biology and Roles in Disease

Abstract uppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins have been identified as key negative regulators of cytokine and growth factor signaling. Therefore, given the diverse roles played by cytokines and growth factors in development and disease, it is not surprising that the

SOCS proteins themselves possess equally diverse and important functions, such as the control of hematopoiesis, immune function, growth and placental development. Significantly, more recent studies are increasingly highlighting the crucial roles played by SOCS proteins in disease, particularly their tumor suppressor and anti-inflammatory functions. Collectively, this research has served to confirm the importance of this class of proteins and suggests that therapeutic strategies for modulating SOCS proteins might be relevant for a range of diseases.