SOCS2 physiological and pathological functions

Suppressors of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins are modulators of cytokine and growth factor signalling whose aberrant regulation has been linked to a variety of inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. SOCS proteins are able to act as substrate-recruiting component of E3-ubiquitin ligase complexes and target interacting proteins for degradation. At least some of the family members can also directly inhibit tyrosine kinases such as Janus Kinases (JAK). The most studied family members, CIS, SOCS1, SOCS2 and SOCS3 are important regulators of the JAK-STAT pathway. Here, we focus on SOCS2 and review its biological function as well as its implication in pathological processes. Furthermore, we take advantage of the known crystal structures of SOCS2 to discuss the potential effects of a selection of SOCS2 mutations that were identified in tumour tissues.