Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (acute-phase response factor) (STAT3,synonyms: APRF,FLJ20882,MGC16063) is a member of the STAT protein family. 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. STAT3 is activated through phosphorylation in response to various cytokines and growth factors including IFNs,EGF,IL5,IL6,HGF,LIF and BMP2. STAT3 mediates the expression of a variety of genes in response to cell stimuli,and thus plays a key role in many cellular processes such as cell growth and apoptosis. The small GTPase Rac1 has been shown to bind and regulate the activity of STAT3. This antibody is a mouse monoclonal antibody raised against residues near the N terminus of human STAT3. STAT3 exists three isoforms and the molecular weight of each isoform respectively is 83 kDa,87 kDa and 88 kDa.