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Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling

Meaning

Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling, or SOCS proteins, are a family of intracellular proteins that function as negative feedback regulators of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. These proteins are induced by cytokine signaling itself and act to dampen the inflammatory or hormonal response, thereby preventing excessive or prolonged cellular activation. They are critical for maintaining immune and endocrine homeostasis, and their dysregulation is implicated in chronic inflammatory states and conditions like insulin resistance. Understanding SOCS function is key to managing chronic inflammation.