Crosstalk between signaling pathways of adrenoreceptors and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) in heart.

Recently, there have been important advancements in our understanding of the signaling mechanisms of adrenoreceptors (AR) and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3). While their crucial roles in the pathological processes of the heart are well established, accumulating evidence suggests there is a complex pattern of crosstalk between these 2 signaling pathways. Moreover, the potential for crosstalk occurs at multiple levels in each signaling cascade and involves receptor transactivation, G proteins, small GTPases, cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate/protein kinase A, protein kinase C, scaffold/adaptor proteins, protein tyrosine kinases, and mitogen-activated protein kinases. In addition, post-translational modification (eg acetylation) of STAT3 may provide a link between STAT3 and AR signaling. In particular, crosstalk between these 2 systems in the heart would appear to be dependent upon the species/tissue studied, developmental stage, and eliciting stimulus. This at least partly accounts for the epigenetic effects on biological function that is mediated by the 2 signaling pathways. Elucidation of these mechanisms will provide new targets in the development of novel clinical strategies for heart disorders.