SOCS3

UniProt ID: O14543
Organism: Homo sapiens
Review Status: COMPLETE
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Gene Description

SOCS3 (Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3; also CIS-3, SSI-3) is a 225-residue cytoplasmic adaptor protein and a cytokine-inducible negative-feedback inhibitor of JAK-STAT signaling. It has a modular architecture comprising an N-terminal kinase inhibitory region (KIR, ~residues 22-33), an extended SH2 subdomain (ESS), a central SH2 domain (~residues 46-142), and a C-terminal SOCS box (~residues 177-224). Through its SH2 domain SOCS3 docks onto specific phosphotyrosine motifs on activated cytokine receptors, most notably gp130/IL6ST, but also LIFR, EPOR, the leptin receptor (LEPR), IL12RB2, CSF3R/G-CSF receptor and the insulin/IGF-I receptors, and onto activated JAK2. The KIR then acts as a pseudosubstrate that occupies the JAK catalytic groove and inhibits JAK kinase activity, blocking downstream STAT (especially STAT3) phosphorylation. Through its SOCS box SOCS3 recruits the Elongin B/C-Cullin5-RBX2 (ECS) module, functioning as the substrate-recognition subunit of a Cullin5-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets bound receptor/JAK components for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. SOCS3 is transcriptionally induced by STAT3 (and other cytokine signals), establishing a classical negative-feedback loop. It is a principal physiological brake on IL-6 and leptin signaling and modulates erythropoiesis, immune and inflammatory responses (including Th17 biology), and metabolic signaling.

Existing Annotations Review

GO Term Evidence Action Reason
GO:0046426 negative regulation of receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Phylogenetic (IBA) annotation to the defining SOCS3 process - negative feedback inhibition of JAK-STAT signaling. This is the central, well-supported biological role of SOCS3 and matches experimental (IMP) and ISS evidence.
Reason: Core function of SOCS3; concordant with experimental and orthology evidence across the SOCS family.
GO:0005126 cytokine receptor binding
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: SOCS3 SH2 domain docks onto phosphotyrosine motifs of activated cytokine receptors (gp130/IL6ST, LIFR, EPOR, LEPR, IL12RB2, CSF3R). Cytokine receptor binding captures this receptor-docking molecular function.
Reason: Well-supported SH2-mediated receptor docking; a core molecular activity enabling SOCS3 to act at receptor complexes.
GO:0019221 cytokine-mediated signaling pathway
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: SOCS3 acts within cytokine-mediated signaling pathways as a feedback inhibitor. The term is correct but high-level; the negative-regulation term (GO:0046426) is the more informative process annotation.
Reason: Correct but general process context; the specific negative-regulation-of-JAK-STAT term better represents the core role.
GO:0035556 intracellular signal transduction
IEA
GO_REF:0000002
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Generic InterPro-derived process annotation. SOCS3 indeed participates in intracellular signal transduction, but this is non-specific relative to its JAK-STAT negative-regulation role.
Reason: Correct but uninformative high-level process; superseded by more specific JAK-STAT terms.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:19027008
The role of microtubule-associated protein 1S in SOCS3 regul...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: IntAct binding annotation for the SOCS3-MAP1S interaction. 'Protein binding' is uninformative as a molecular function; the specific partner (MAP1S) is captured in the reference findings.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic GO:0005515 'protein binding' is not a core informative MF; valid interaction evidence but kept non-core.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:24728074
Enhanced prediction of Src homology 2 (SH2) domain binding p...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: SH2-domain interactome screen reporting SOCS3 binding to phosphopeptides (e.g., KIT, MET). Generic 'protein binding' molecular function.
Reason: Generic protein-binding from a high-throughput SH2 screen; not a core informative MF.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:25203322
PKD1 phosphorylation-dependent degradation of SNAIL by SCF-F...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: SOCS3-SNAI1 interaction reported in an EMT study focused on FBXO11/SNAIL. Generic 'protein binding' annotation.
Reason: Generic protein-binding; not a core informative MF for SOCS3.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:25416956
A proteome-scale map of the human interactome network.
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Interactions from a proteome-scale binary interactome map (e.g., YES1, KIAA1958). Generic 'protein binding'.
Reason: High-throughput Y2H protein-binding; not a core informative MF.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:32296183
A reference map of the human binary protein interactome.
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Interactions from the reference human binary interactome map (e.g., YES1, TXK, BLK). Generic 'protein binding'.
Reason: High-throughput Y2H protein-binding; not a core informative MF.
GO:0001784 phosphotyrosine residue binding
IEA
GO_REF:0000107
ACCEPT
Summary: SOCS3 SH2 domain recognizes phosphotyrosine motifs on activated receptors and JAK2; phosphotyrosine residue binding is a precise, mechanistically grounded molecular function for the SH2 module.
Reason: Accurate and informative MF capturing SH2-mediated pTyr recognition; a core docking activity.
GO:0035198 miRNA binding
IEA
GO_REF:0000107
MARK AS OVER ANNOTATED
Summary: Ortholog-transferred (Ensembl Compara, from mouse O35718) miRNA-binding annotation. SOCS3 is not an established RNA/miRNA-binding protein; rather it is itself a target of miRNAs (e.g., miR-221). This appears to be an erroneous electronic transfer.
Reason: No credible evidence SOCS3 binds miRNA; likely spurious ortholog transfer, possibly confusing SOCS3-as-miRNA-target with miRNA binding.
GO:0097398 cellular response to interleukin-17
IEA
GO_REF:0000107
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Ortholog-transferred process annotation. SOCS3 is plausibly involved in IL-17-related inflammatory responses, but the link is indirect and not central to its molecular function.
Reason: Plausible but indirect process from electronic transfer; not a core function.
GO:0016567 protein ubiquitination
IEA
GO_REF:0000041
ACCEPT
Summary: SOCS3 is the substrate-recognition subunit of an Elongin BC-Cullin5-RBX2 (ECS) E3 ubiquitin ligase via its SOCS box, mediating ubiquitination of bound receptor/JAK components. Protein ubiquitination is a correct and core process.
Reason: Core SOCS-box-mediated function; concordant with mechanistic literature (Kamura et al. 2004) and Reactome CSF3R/CRL5 ubiquitination events.
GO:0007259 cell surface receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: ISS (from mouse ortholog) placing SOCS3 in JAK-STAT signaling. SOCS3's role is specifically negative regulation of this pathway; the parent 'involved_in JAK-STAT' is correct but less informative than GO:0046426.
Reason: Correct pathway context but the negative-regulation term is the core, more informative annotation.
GO:0019210 kinase inhibitor activity
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
MODIFY
Summary: SOCS3 inhibits JAK tyrosine kinase activity via its KIR (pseudosubstrate) and SH2 domain. Kinase inhibitor activity is correct; the more specific child term protein kinase inhibitor activity (GO:0004860) is preferred and is independently annotated (IDA/TAS).
Reason: Generalize to the more specific, experimentally supported protein kinase inhibitor activity.
GO:0007259 cell surface receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
ISS
PMID:12754505
SOCS3 negatively regulates IL-6 signaling in vivo.
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: ISS from mouse Socs3, supported by in vivo evidence that Socs3 loss prolongs IL-6-induced STAT activation. Correct pathway context but less informative than the negative-regulation term.
Reason: Correct but general; negative-regulation-of-JAK-STAT is the core annotation.
GO:0019210 kinase inhibitor activity
ISS
PMID:12754505
SOCS3 negatively regulates IL-6 signaling in vivo.
MODIFY
Summary: Kinase-inhibitor MF transferred by similarity. As above, the specific protein kinase inhibitor activity term is preferred and is experimentally supported.
Reason: Generalize/refine to the more specific protein kinase inhibitor activity term.
GO:0070102 interleukin-6-mediated signaling pathway
ISS
PMID:12754505
SOCS3 negatively regulates IL-6 signaling in vivo.
ACCEPT
Summary: SOCS3 is the dominant feedback inhibitor of IL-6/gp130 signaling in vivo (Croker et al. 2003); involvement in the IL-6-mediated signaling pathway is well-supported and biologically central.
Reason: Strongly supported, specific, and central to SOCS3 biology (IL-6 brake).
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-6785860
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: SOCS3 acts in the cytosol and at the cytoplasmic face of receptor complexes. Cytosolic localization is correct but is a general location, not a core function.
Reason: Correct subcellular location; one of many redundant Reactome cytosol annotations.
GO:0072540 T-helper 17 cell lineage commitment
TAS
PMID:27893700
Trans-presentation of IL-6 by dendritic cells is required fo...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: SOCS3 modulates the IL-6/STAT3 axis that drives Th17 differentiation; this is a downstream physiological/developmental consequence rather than SOCS3's molecular core function.
Reason: Valid process context (IL-6/Th17 axis) but a pleiotropic, downstream role, not core.
GO:0004860 protein kinase inhibitor activity
IDA
PMID:9727029
Interaction of human suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)...
ACCEPT
Summary: Direct-assay annotation for SOCS3 protein kinase inhibitor activity. SOCS3 inhibits JAK tyrosine kinase via its KIR/SH2 modules. Although the cached abstract title names SOCS-2/IGF-IR, this is the curator-assigned experimental evidence for SOCS3 kinase-inhibitor activity and the function is correct for SOCS3.
Reason: Core molecular function of SOCS3 (KIR-mediated JAK inhibition); per guidelines an experimental annotation is not removed on the basis of an abstract-only paralog title.
GO:0009898 cytoplasmic side of plasma membrane
IDA
PMID:9727029
Interaction of human suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: SOCS3 is recruited to phosphorylated receptor cytoplasmic tails at the inner face of the plasma membrane, consistent with this location. Accurate but a location, not a core molecular function.
Reason: Correct site of action (receptor tails at the membrane); supporting location rather than core function.
GO:0046426 negative regulation of receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
IMP
PMID:25019494
MiR-221 accentuates IFNΧ³s anti-HCV effect by downregulating ...
ACCEPT
Summary: Experimental (IMP) support that modulating SOCS3 levels (via miR-221) alters JAK-STAT signaling output - downregulating SOCS3 relieves inhibition and enhances IFN/JAK/STAT signaling. Confirms SOCS3 as a negative regulator of JAK-STAT.
Reason: Core function; experimentally supported negative regulation of JAK-STAT signaling.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-1112755
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization (SOCS3 binds IL6ST). Correct location annotation.
Reason: Correct subcellular location; redundant with other cytosol annotations.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-6790041
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization annotation. Correct but redundant.
Reason: Correct location; one of many redundant Reactome cytosol annotations.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-877269
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization (SOCS-1/SOCS-3 bind p-JAK2). Correct location.
Reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-8848110
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization (SOCS3 binds activated PTK6). Correct location.
Reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-8848178
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization (STAT3 stimulates SOCS3 expression). Correct location.
Reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-8952039
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization (CRL5/neddylation pathway). Correct location.
Reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-8952044
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization (CRL5/neddylation pathway). Correct location.
Reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-8955241
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization (CAND1/CRL regulation). Correct location.
Reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-8955289
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization (COMMD/CAND1/CRL regulation). Correct location.
Reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-8956040
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization (COP9 signalosome deneddylation). Correct location.
Reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-9705738
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization (SOCS1,3 ubiquitinates CSF3R within a CUL5/ELOB/ELOC/RNF7 complex). Correct location and consistent with SOCS3 E3-ligase function.
Reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-NUL-1169195
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Reactome cytosol localization (SOCS binding to growth hormone receptor). Correct location.
Reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
GO:0004860 protein kinase inhibitor activity
TAS
PMID:9266833
Cloning and functional analysis of new members of STAT induc...
ACCEPT
Summary: TAS annotation for SOCS3 (SSI-3) protein kinase inhibitor activity from the SSI-2/SSI-3 cloning/functional paper. Concordant with the IDA and ISS kinase-inhibitor annotations; reflects KIR-mediated JAK inhibition.
Reason: Core molecular function; corroborates the protein kinase inhibitor activity of SOCS3.
GO:0043066 negative regulation of apoptotic process
TAS
PMID:9266833
Cloning and functional analysis of new members of STAT induc...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Based on forced SSI-3/SOCS3 expression suppressing the apoptotic effect of LIF in M1 myeloid cells. This is an indirect, downstream consequence of blocking LIF/gp130/STAT3 signaling rather than a direct anti-apoptotic molecular activity, and is context-dependent (SOCS3 can be pro- or anti-apoptotic depending on cell type).
Reason: Indirect, context-dependent downstream effect of JAK-STAT inhibition; retained but not a core function.

Core Functions

SH2-mediated docking of SOCS3 onto phosphotyrosine motifs of activated cytokine receptors and JAK2, positioning SOCS3 at the receptor/kinase complex.

Supporting Evidence:
  • PMID:9266833
    we identified two novel human genes which products have homologous region in their SH2 domain and its COOH-terminal region to mouse SSI-1
  • PMID:12754505
    Members of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family are potentially key physiological negative regulators of interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling.

KIR/SH2-mediated inhibition of JAK tyrosine kinase activity, blocking downstream STAT phosphorylation as the catalytic core of SOCS3 negative feedback.

Supporting Evidence:
  • PMID:9266833
    Northern blotting analysis and functional studies demonstrated that SSI-2 and SSI-3 mRNA were also induced by cytokine stimulation and their forced expression in mouse myeloid leukemia cell, M1, suppressed the apoptotic effect of LIF, like SSI-1.

Substrate-recognition subunit of an Elongin BC-Cullin5-RBX2 (ECS) E3 ubiquitin ligase that, via the SOCS box, targets bound receptor/JAK components for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation.

Supporting Evidence:
  • PMID:15601820
    The ECS (Elongin B/C-Cul2/Cul5-SOCS-box protein) complex is a member of a family of ubiquitin ligases that share a Cullin-Rbx module.
  • PMID:15601820
    SOCS-box proteins recruit substrates to the ECS complex and are linked to Cullin-Rbx via Elongin B/C.

Negative-feedback inhibition of cytokine receptor signaling through the JAK-STAT pathway, the integrative core role of SOCS3 (principal brake on IL-6/gp130 signaling).

Supporting Evidence:
  • PMID:12754505
    Socs3 deficiency results in prolonged activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and STAT3 after IL-6 stimulation but normal activation of STAT1 after stimulation with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).
  • PMID:9266833
    SSI-1 is thought to play a critical role in negative feedback control of JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

References

Gene Ontology annotation through association of InterPro records with GO terms
Manual transfer of experimentally-verified manual GO annotation data to orthologs by curator judgment of sequence similarity
Annotation inferences using phylogenetic trees
Gene Ontology annotation based on UniPathway vocabulary mapping
Automatic transfer of experimentally verified manual GO annotation data to orthologs using Ensembl Compara
SOCS3 negatively regulates IL-6 signaling in vivo.
  • SOCS3 is the principal physiological negative regulator of IL-6/gp130 signaling in vivo; conditional Socs3 deletion prolongs STAT1 and STAT3 activation after IL-6 stimulation, whereas IFN-gamma responses are SOCS1-dependent.
The role of microtubule-associated protein 1S in SOCS3 regulation of IL-6 signaling.
  • MAP1S was identified as a novel SOCS3-interacting protein; the SOCS3-MAP1S interaction and microtubule integrity contribute to SOCS3 inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 signaling.
Enhanced prediction of Src homology 2 (SH2) domain binding potentials using a fluorescence polarization-derived c-Met, c-Kit, ErbB, and androgen receptor interactome.
  • High-throughput fluorescence-polarization SH2-domain interactome study; reports SOCS3 SH2 binding to phosphopeptides including c-Kit (KIT) and c-Met (MET).
MiR-221 accentuates IFNΧ³s anti-HCV effect by downregulating SOCS1 and SOCS3.
  • SOCS3 (with SOCS1) is a well-established inhibitor of the IFN/JAK/STAT pathway; miR-221 downregulates SOCS3, relieving JAK-STAT inhibition and enhancing the anti-HCV effect of IFN-alpha.
PKD1 phosphorylation-dependent degradation of SNAIL by SCF-FBXO11 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis.
  • Reports a SOCS3-SNAI1 protein-protein interaction (IntAct) within an EMT/SNAIL-degradation study primarily focused on FBXO11.
A proteome-scale map of the human interactome network.
  • Systematic binary (Y2H) interactome map reporting SOCS3 interactions (e.g., YES1, KIAA1958).
Trans-presentation of IL-6 by dendritic cells is required for the priming of pathogenic T(H)17 cells.
  • IL-6 trans-presentation by dendritic cells drives priming of pathogenic Th17 cells; SOCS3 is a feedback inhibitor within the IL-6/STAT3/Th17 axis.
A reference map of the human binary protein interactome.
  • Reference binary (Y2H) interactome map reporting SOCS3 interactions (e.g., YES1, TXK, BLK, KIAA1958).
Cloning and functional analysis of new members of STAT induced STAT inhibitor (SSI) family: SSI-2 and SSI-3.
  • Cloning paper for human SSI-2 (SOCS2) and SSI-3 (SOCS3); SSI family members are cytokine-induced and act in negative feedback control of JAK-STAT signaling. Forced expression of SSI-3/SOCS3 suppressed the apoptotic effect of LIF.
Interaction of human suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-2 with the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor.
  • SOCS family proteins are negative regulators of cytokine receptor signaling via the JAK/STAT pathway and interact with activated receptor tyrosine kinases (here IGF-IR).
VHL-box and SOCS-box domains determine binding specificity for Cul2-Rbx1 and Cul5-Rbx2 modules of ubiquitin ligases.
  • SOCS-box proteins (including SOCS3) recruit substrates to the ECS (Elongin B/C-Cullin-Rbx) complex via Elongin B/C and associate specifically with Cul5-Rbx2, defining the SOCS-box E3 ubiquitin ligase module.
Reactome:R-HSA-1112755
SOCS3 binds IL6ST
Reactome:R-HSA-6785860
Expression of SOCS1
Reactome:R-HSA-6790041
Expression of STAT3-upregulated cytosolic proteins
Reactome:R-HSA-877269
SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 binds to p-JAK2
Reactome:R-HSA-8848110
SOCS3 binds activated PTK6
Reactome:R-HSA-8848178
STAT3 stimulates SOCS3 expression
Reactome:R-HSA-8952039
NEDD8:AcM-UBE2F binds CRL5 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex
Reactome:R-HSA-8952044
AcM-UBE2F transfers NEDD8 to CRL5 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex
Reactome:R-HSA-8955241
CAND1 binds cytosolic CRL E3 ubiquitin ligases
Reactome:R-HSA-8955289
COMMDs displace CAND1 from cytosolic CRL E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes
Reactome:R-HSA-8956040
COP9 signalosome deneddylates cytosolic CRL E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes
Reactome:R-HSA-9705738
SOCS1,3 ubiquitinates CSF3R in SOCS1,3:p-4Y-CSF3R:CSF3 dimer:LYN:p-Y-JAK1:p-JAK2:p-SYK:p-HCK:p-TYK2:CUL5:ELOB:ELOC:RNF7
Reactome:R-NUL-1169195
SOCS binding to Ghr

Suggested Questions for Experts

Q: To what extent does SOCS3-mediated ubiquitination/proteasomal degradation of receptor complexes (via the Cul5 ECS ligase) contribute to signal termination versus the direct KIR-mediated kinase-inhibition mechanism, and are these separable in vivo?

Q: Which receptor phosphotyrosine motifs and JAK isoforms are the physiologically dominant SOCS3 targets in different tissues (liver, adipose, immune cells)?

Suggested Experiments

Experiment: Separation-of-function mutants (KIR-dead vs SOCS-box-dead vs SH2-dead) expressed at endogenous levels, assayed for IL-6/gp130 STAT3 signaling kinetics and receptor/JAK ubiquitination, to dissect the relative contribution of kinase inhibition versus E3-ligase-mediated degradation.

Experiment: Quantitative proteomics (ubiquitinome/degradomics) in SOCS3-null versus reconstituted cells after IL-6/EPO/leptin stimulation to identify the physiological SOCS3 ECS-ligase substrates.

πŸ“š Additional Documentation

Notes

(SOCS3-notes.md)

SOCS3 (human, UniProt O14543) β€” review notes

Journal of research for the SOCS3 gene review. Provenance recorded inline as
[PMID:xxxx "verbatim quote"] or [UniProt O14543] where appropriate.

Identity / domain architecture (UniProt O14543)

  • 225 aa cytoplasmic protein; member of the SOCS/CIS family (8 members: CIS, SOCS1-7).
    Synonyms: CIS-3, SSI-3, STAT-induced STAT inhibitor 3 [UniProt O14543].
  • Domain layout (UniProt feature table):
  • KIR (kinase inhibitory region): residues 22–33
  • ESS (extended SH2 subdomain): residues 34–45
  • SH2 domain: residues 46–142
  • SOCS box: residues 177–224
  • UniProt DOMAIN comments: "The ESS and SH2 domains are required for JAK
    phosphotyrosine binding. Further interaction with the KIR domain is necessary for
    signal and kinase inhibition." and "The SOCS box domain mediates the interaction
    with the Elongin BC complex, an adapter module in different E3 ubiquitin ligase
    complexes." [UniProt O14543]
  • Cytokine-inducible; STAT3 induces SOCS3 expression (classic negative-feedback loop).
    Phosphorylated on Tyr after IL-2/EPO/IGF1 stimulation [UniProt O14543].

Core function: negative-feedback inhibitor of JAK-STAT signaling

  • UniProt FUNCTION: "SOCS family proteins form part of a classical negative feedback
    system that regulates cytokine signal transduction. SOCS3 is involved in negative
    regulation of cytokines that signal through the JAK/STAT pathway ... Inhibits signal
    transduction by binding to transmembrane signaling receptors including IL6ST/gp130,
    LIFR, EPOR, INSR, IL12RB2, CSF3R/G-CSF-R and LEPR. Binding to JAK2 inhibits its
    kinase activity and regulates IL6 signaling." [UniProt O14543].
  • Mechanism of JAK inhibition: SOCS3 binds JAK through both the KIR (acting as a
    pseudosubstrate) and the SH2 domain to a phospho-Tyr in the JAK2 JH1 domain
    [UniProt O14543 SUBUNIT, from PubMed:10421843]. The original mechanistic paper:
    Sasaki et al. 1999 "CIS3/SOCS3 inhibits Janus tyrosine kinase by binding through the
    N-terminal kinase inhibitory region as well as SH2 domain" [UniProt RN5 = PubMed:10421843].
  • In vivo IL-6 specificity: SOCS3 (not SOCS1) is the key brake on IL-6/gp130 signaling.
    PMID:12754505
    and PMID:12754505.
    This Nat Immunol 2003 paper (Croker et al.) underpins the ISS annotations transferred
    from mouse (UniProtKB:O35718, MGI:1201791) for cell-surface JAK-STAT signaling and
    IL-6-mediated signaling pathway.

SH2 / phosphotyrosine docking

  • SOCS3 SH2 domain binds specific activated phospho-Tyr on receptors: gp130/IL6ST,
    LEPR, EPOR (Y429/Y431), IL12RB2, CSF3R [UniProt SUBUNIT; PubMed:12027890,
    PubMed:14559241]. EPOR high-affinity site: Hoertner et al. 2002 [UniProt RN6 =
    PubMed:12027890].
  • This grounds the GO MF terms: phosphotyrosine residue binding (GO:0001784),
    SH2 domain activity / cytokine receptor binding (GO:0005126).

SOCS box β†’ ECS (Elongin BC–Cullin5–RBX2) E3 ubiquitin ligase

  • SOCS3 is the substrate-recognition subunit of a Cullin5-RING E3 ligase. The SOCS box
    recruits Elongin BC, linking bound substrates to CUL5–RBX2 for ubiquitination and
    proteasomal degradation.
  • PMID:15601820 / "substrates to the ECS complex and are
    linked to Cullin-Rbx via Elongin B/C" and PMID:15601820. Kamura et al. 2004 Genes Dev (UniProt RN9). UniProt: SOCS3 interacts
    with CUL5, RNF7/RBX2, ELOB and ELOC [UniProt O14543].
  • UniProt PATHWAY: "Protein modification; protein ubiquitination." (UPA00143) β€” basis of
    GO:0016567 protein ubiquitination IEA, and GO:0016567/SOCS-box mechanism.

Apoptosis / cell survival

  • PMID:9266833 of LIF: forced expression of SSI-2 and
    SSI-3 (SOCS3) in M1 myeloid leukemia cells "suppressed the apoptotic effect of LIF,
    like SSI-1". This is the TAS basis for GO:0043066 negative regulation of apoptotic
    process. Note this is an indirect/downstream consequence of blocking LIF-gp130-STAT3
    pro-differentiation/apoptosis signaling, not a direct anti-apoptotic activity.
  • PMID:9266833 (Minamoto et al. 1997) is the cloning/functional paper for human SSI-2
    (SOCS2) and SSI-3 (SOCS3); it is correctly cited for SOCS3.

Immune / Th17 biology

  • SOCS3 limits IL-6 / IL-23-driven Th17 responses; IL-6 trans-presentation paper
    PMID:27893700 (Heink et al. 2017, full text available) is cited as TAS for
    GO:0072540 T-helper 17 cell lineage commitment. SOCS3 is a downstream feedback
    inhibitor in the IL-6β†’STAT3β†’Th17 axis. The TAS annotation reflects SOCS3's role in the
    IL-6/Th17 module; keep as non-core (developmental/process context, not SOCS3's
    molecular core).

Interaction-only (IPI / proteomics) annotations β€” context

GOA carries several GO:0005515 "protein binding" IPI annotations from IntAct, sourced
from interaction screens. Per curation guidelines, bare "protein binding" is
uninformative and should not be treated as core:

  • PMID:19027008 β€” MAP1S as a SOCS3-interacting protein (IntAct partner Q66K74/MAP1S);
    partner is real, paper is genuinely about SOCS3 PMID:19027008. Binding annotation only.
  • PMID:24728074 β€” large fluorescence-polarization SH2-domain interactome (c-Met/KIT/ErbB/AR);
    partners P10721 (KIT), Q13480 (c-Met/MET). High-throughput peptide-binding screen.
  • PMID:25203322 β€” SNAI1 (O95863) interaction; this paper is primarily about FBXO11/SNAIL
    EMT but reports a SOCS3–SNAI1 IntAct interaction. Binding only.
  • PMID:25416956 (Rolland 2014) and PMID:32296183 (Luck 2020) β€” large-scale binary
    interactome (Y2H) maps; partners include YES1 (P07947), TXK (P42681), BLK (P51451),
    KIAA1958 (Q8N8K9), PTK2/FAK (I6L996). Systematic Y2H; generic protein-binding.

These IPI binding annotations are kept as non-core (or over-annotated); none establishes a
specific informative MF beyond what SH2/receptor-binding terms already capture.

Annotations that look like cross-gene / weak transfers

  • PMID:9727029 ("Interaction of human SOCS-2 with the IGF-I receptor", Dey et al. 1998)
    is the abstract title about SOCS-2, but UniProt lists Dey/Furlanetto/Nissley IGF1R work
    for SOCS3 too (PubMed:11071852 is the SOCS3-IGF1R paper). The GOA IDA annotation
    GO:0004860 protein kinase inhibitor activity / GO:0009898 cytoplasmic side of PM is
    attributed to PMID:9727029 by UniProt curators. Per CLAUDE.md, do NOT REMOVE an
    experimental (IDA) annotation merely because the cached abstract foregrounds a paralog
    (SOCS2) β€” the function (kinase inhibitor activity, plasma-membrane-proximal action) is
    correct for SOCS3. The MF protein kinase inhibitor activity is independently strongly
    supported (KIR mechanism, ISS GO:0019210). ACCEPT GO:0004860 as core; the cellular
    component GO:0009898 cytoplasmic side of plasma membrane is consistent with SOCS3
    acting at receptor tails β€” keep as non-core location.

  • GO:0035198 miRNA binding (IEA, Ensembl ortholog transfer from mouse O35718): no strong
    human evidence; SOCS3 is not a recognized RNA-binding/miRNA-binding protein. SOCS3 is
    itself a miRNA target (e.g. miR-221, PMID:25019494), which is the opposite relationship.
    This looks like an erroneous ortholog-transferred annotation β€” MARK_AS_OVER_ANNOTATED.

  • GO:0097398 cellular response to IL-17 (IEA ortholog transfer): plausible (SOCS3 is
    induced by/feeds back on IL-17-related inflammation) but indirect; keep as non-core.

  • PMID:25019494 (miR-221 downregulates SOCS1/SOCS3): IMP for GO:0046426 negative
    regulation of JAK-STAT. The paper shows miR-221 represses SOCS3 to enhance IFN/JAK/STAT
    anti-HCV effect, confirming SOCS3 as a JAK-STAT inhibitor whose loss prolongs signaling.
    Supports the negative-regulation-of-JAK-STAT function. ACCEPT (core process).

Cellular location

  • Cytosol (GO:0005829) β€” many Reactome TAS annotations; SOCS3 acts in the cytosol and at
    the cytoplasmic face of receptors. Keep one representative as non-core location.
  • GO:0009898 cytoplasmic side of plasma membrane (IDA) β€” consistent with receptor-tail
    recruitment. Non-core location.

Summary of core functions to assign

  1. MF: protein kinase inhibitor activity (GO:0004860) β€” KIR-mediated JAK inhibition.
  2. MF: phosphotyrosine residue binding (GO:0001784) / SH2 docking on activated receptors
    (GO:0005126 cytokine receptor binding).
  3. BP/MF context: negative regulation of receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
    (GO:0046426) β€” the integrative core role.
  4. BP: protein ubiquitination (GO:0016567) via SOCS-box/ECS(CUL5) E3 ligase
    substrate-recognition.

Validation note: core_functions MF ids are strictly validated; supporting_text must be a
verbatim substring of the cited cached publication.

πŸ“„ View Raw YAML

id: O14543
gene_symbol: SOCS3
product_type: PROTEIN
status: COMPLETE
taxon:
  id: NCBITaxon:9606
  label: Homo sapiens
description: >-
  SOCS3 (Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3; also CIS-3, SSI-3) is a 225-residue
  cytoplasmic adaptor protein and a cytokine-inducible negative-feedback inhibitor
  of JAK-STAT signaling. It has a modular architecture comprising an N-terminal
  kinase inhibitory region (KIR, ~residues 22-33), an extended SH2 subdomain (ESS),
  a central SH2 domain (~residues 46-142), and a C-terminal SOCS box (~residues
  177-224). Through its SH2 domain SOCS3 docks onto specific phosphotyrosine motifs
  on activated cytokine receptors, most notably gp130/IL6ST, but also LIFR, EPOR,
  the leptin receptor (LEPR), IL12RB2, CSF3R/G-CSF receptor and the insulin/IGF-I
  receptors, and onto activated JAK2. The KIR then acts as a pseudosubstrate that
  occupies the JAK catalytic groove and inhibits JAK kinase activity, blocking
  downstream STAT (especially STAT3) phosphorylation. Through its SOCS box SOCS3
  recruits the Elongin B/C-Cullin5-RBX2 (ECS) module, functioning as the
  substrate-recognition subunit of a Cullin5-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets
  bound receptor/JAK components for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation.
  SOCS3 is transcriptionally induced by STAT3 (and other cytokine signals),
  establishing a classical negative-feedback loop. It is a principal physiological
  brake on IL-6 and leptin signaling and modulates erythropoiesis, immune and
  inflammatory responses (including Th17 biology), and metabolic signaling.
references:
- id: GO_REF:0000002
  title: Gene Ontology annotation through association of InterPro records with GO
    terms
  findings: []
- id: GO_REF:0000024
  title: Manual transfer of experimentally-verified manual GO annotation data to orthologs
    by curator judgment of sequence similarity
  findings: []
- id: GO_REF:0000033
  title: Annotation inferences using phylogenetic trees
  findings: []
- id: GO_REF:0000041
  title: Gene Ontology annotation based on UniPathway vocabulary mapping
  findings: []
- id: GO_REF:0000107
  title: Automatic transfer of experimentally verified manual GO annotation data to
    orthologs using Ensembl Compara
  findings: []
- id: PMID:12754505
  title: SOCS3 negatively regulates IL-6 signaling in vivo.
  findings:
  - statement: SOCS3 is the principal physiological negative regulator of IL-6/gp130
      signaling in vivo; conditional Socs3 deletion prolongs STAT1 and STAT3 activation
      after IL-6 stimulation, whereas IFN-gamma responses are SOCS1-dependent.
  reference_review:
    relevance: HIGH
    correctness: VERIFIED
    review_notes: PubMed-verified (Croker et al., Nat Immunol 2003). Abstract directly
      supports the in vivo IL-6-specific JAK-STAT negative-regulation role; basis
      for the mouse-ortholog ISS transfers.
- id: PMID:19027008
  title: The role of microtubule-associated protein 1S in SOCS3 regulation of IL-6
    signaling.
  findings:
  - statement: MAP1S was identified as a novel SOCS3-interacting protein; the SOCS3-MAP1S
      interaction and microtubule integrity contribute to SOCS3 inhibition of IL-6/STAT3
      signaling.
  reference_review:
    relevance: MEDIUM
    correctness: VERIFIED
    review_notes: PubMed-verified; genuinely about SOCS3. Supports a specific binding
      partner (MAP1S/Q66K74) but the GOA annotation is generic 'protein binding'.
- id: PMID:24728074
  title: Enhanced prediction of Src homology 2 (SH2) domain binding potentials using
    a fluorescence polarization-derived c-Met, c-Kit, ErbB, and androgen receptor
    interactome.
  findings:
  - statement: High-throughput fluorescence-polarization SH2-domain interactome study;
      reports SOCS3 SH2 binding to phosphopeptides including c-Kit (KIT) and c-Met
      (MET).
  reference_review:
    relevance: LOW
    correctness: VERIFIED
    review_notes: PubMed-verified methodological/proteomics paper. Source of generic
      'protein binding' IPI annotations (KIT, MET); not gene-function-defining.
- id: PMID:25019494
  title: MiR-221 accentuates IFNΧ³s anti-HCV effect by downregulating SOCS1 and SOCS3.
  findings:
  - statement: SOCS3 (with SOCS1) is a well-established inhibitor of the IFN/JAK/STAT
      pathway; miR-221 downregulates SOCS3, relieving JAK-STAT inhibition and enhancing
      the anti-HCV effect of IFN-alpha.
  reference_review:
    relevance: MEDIUM
    correctness: VERIFIED
    review_notes: PubMed-verified. Supports SOCS3 as a negative regulator of JAK-STAT
      (loss prolongs/enhances signaling); cited as IMP for GO:0046426.
- id: PMID:25203322
  title: PKD1 phosphorylation-dependent degradation of SNAIL by SCF-FBXO11 regulates
    epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis.
  findings:
  - statement: Reports a SOCS3-SNAI1 protein-protein interaction (IntAct) within an
      EMT/SNAIL-degradation study primarily focused on FBXO11.
  reference_review:
    relevance: LOW
    correctness: VERIFIED
    review_notes: PubMed-verified. The paper's focus is FBXO11/SNAIL; SOCS3 appears
      only as an interaction partner. Source of a generic 'protein binding' annotation.
- id: PMID:25416956
  title: A proteome-scale map of the human interactome network.
  findings:
  - statement: Systematic binary (Y2H) interactome map reporting SOCS3 interactions
      (e.g., YES1, KIAA1958).
  reference_review:
    relevance: LOW
    correctness: VERIFIED
    review_notes: PubMed-verified high-throughput interactome (Rolland et al. 2014).
      Source of generic 'protein binding' IPI annotations; not function-defining.
- id: PMID:27893700
  title: Trans-presentation of IL-6 by dendritic cells is required for the priming
    of pathogenic T(H)17 cells.
  findings:
  - statement: IL-6 trans-presentation by dendritic cells drives priming of pathogenic
      Th17 cells; SOCS3 is a feedback inhibitor within the IL-6/STAT3/Th17 axis.
  reference_review:
    relevance: MEDIUM
    correctness: VERIFIED
    review_notes: PubMed-verified, full text available. Supports the IL-6/Th17 context
      cited as TAS for T-helper 17 cell lineage commitment.
- id: PMID:32296183
  title: A reference map of the human binary protein interactome.
  findings:
  - statement: Reference binary (Y2H) interactome map reporting SOCS3 interactions
      (e.g., YES1, TXK, BLK, KIAA1958).
  reference_review:
    relevance: LOW
    correctness: VERIFIED
    review_notes: PubMed-verified high-throughput interactome (Luck et al. 2020).
      Source of generic 'protein binding' IPI annotations; not function-defining.
- id: PMID:9266833
  title: 'Cloning and functional analysis of new members of STAT induced STAT inhibitor
    (SSI) family: SSI-2 and SSI-3.'
  findings:
  - statement: Cloning paper for human SSI-2 (SOCS2) and SSI-3 (SOCS3); SSI family
      members are cytokine-induced and act in negative feedback control of JAK-STAT
      signaling. Forced expression of SSI-3/SOCS3 suppressed the apoptotic effect
      of LIF.
  reference_review:
    relevance: HIGH
    correctness: VERIFIED
    review_notes: PubMed-verified. SSI-3 = SOCS3; correctly cited. Abstract supports
      JAK-STAT inhibition and suppression of LIF-induced apoptosis (basis of TAS annotations).
- id: PMID:9727029
  title: Interaction of human suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-2 with the insulin-like
    growth factor-I receptor.
  findings:
  - statement: SOCS family proteins are negative regulators of cytokine receptor signaling
      via the JAK/STAT pathway and interact with activated receptor tyrosine kinases
      (here IGF-IR).
  reference_review:
    relevance: MEDIUM
    correctness: VERIFIED
    review_notes: PubMed-verified. Abstract title foregrounds SOCS-2, but UniProt
      curators attribute the IDA protein-kinase-inhibitor-activity / plasma-membrane
      annotations for SOCS3 to this reference; per guidelines the kinase-inhibitor
      function is correct for SOCS3 and the experimental annotation is retained.
- id: PMID:15601820
  title: VHL-box and SOCS-box domains determine binding specificity for Cul2-Rbx1
    and Cul5-Rbx2 modules of ubiquitin ligases.
  findings:
  - statement: SOCS-box proteins (including SOCS3) recruit substrates to the ECS
      (Elongin B/C-Cullin-Rbx) complex via Elongin B/C and associate specifically
      with Cul5-Rbx2, defining the SOCS-box E3 ubiquitin ligase module.
  reference_review:
    relevance: HIGH
    correctness: VERIFIED
    review_notes: PubMed-verified (Kamura et al. 2004). Establishes the SOCS-box ->
      Elongin BC -> Cul5-Rbx2 E3 ligase substrate-recognition mechanism underlying
      SOCS3 ubiquitin-ligase function.
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-1112755
  title: SOCS3 binds IL6ST
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-6785860
  title: Expression of SOCS1
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-6790041
  title: Expression of STAT3-upregulated cytosolic proteins
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-877269
  title: SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 binds to p-JAK2
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-8848110
  title: SOCS3 binds activated PTK6
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-8848178
  title: STAT3 stimulates SOCS3 expression
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-8952039
  title: NEDD8:AcM-UBE2F binds CRL5 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-8952044
  title: AcM-UBE2F transfers NEDD8 to CRL5 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-8955241
  title: CAND1 binds cytosolic CRL E3 ubiquitin ligases
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-8955289
  title: COMMDs displace CAND1 from cytosolic CRL E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-8956040
  title: COP9 signalosome deneddylates cytosolic CRL E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-HSA-9705738
  title: SOCS1,3 ubiquitinates CSF3R in SOCS1,3:p-4Y-CSF3R:CSF3 dimer:LYN:p-Y-JAK1:p-JAK2:p-SYK:p-HCK:p-TYK2:CUL5:ELOB:ELOC:RNF7
  findings: []
- id: Reactome:R-NUL-1169195
  title: SOCS binding to Ghr
  findings: []
existing_annotations:
- term:
    id: GO:0046426
    label: negative regulation of receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
  evidence_type: IBA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033
  qualifier: involved_in
  review:
    summary: Phylogenetic (IBA) annotation to the defining SOCS3 process - negative
      feedback inhibition of JAK-STAT signaling. This is the central, well-supported
      biological role of SOCS3 and matches experimental (IMP) and ISS evidence.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: Core function of SOCS3; concordant with experimental and orthology evidence
      across the SOCS family.
- term:
    id: GO:0005126
    label: cytokine receptor binding
  evidence_type: IBA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: SOCS3 SH2 domain docks onto phosphotyrosine motifs of activated cytokine
      receptors (gp130/IL6ST, LIFR, EPOR, LEPR, IL12RB2, CSF3R). Cytokine receptor
      binding captures this receptor-docking molecular function.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: Well-supported SH2-mediated receptor docking; a core molecular activity
      enabling SOCS3 to act at receptor complexes.
- term:
    id: GO:0019221
    label: cytokine-mediated signaling pathway
  evidence_type: IBA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033
  qualifier: involved_in
  review:
    summary: SOCS3 acts within cytokine-mediated signaling pathways as a feedback
      inhibitor. The term is correct but high-level; the negative-regulation term
      (GO:0046426) is the more informative process annotation.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct but general process context; the specific negative-regulation-of-JAK-STAT
      term better represents the core role.
- term:
    id: GO:0035556
    label: intracellular signal transduction
  evidence_type: IEA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000002
  qualifier: involved_in
  review:
    summary: Generic InterPro-derived process annotation. SOCS3 indeed participates
      in intracellular signal transduction, but this is non-specific relative to its
      JAK-STAT negative-regulation role.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct but uninformative high-level process; superseded by more specific
      JAK-STAT terms.
- term:
    id: GO:0005515
    label: protein binding
  evidence_type: IPI
  original_reference_id: PMID:19027008
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: IntAct binding annotation for the SOCS3-MAP1S interaction. 'Protein binding'
      is uninformative as a molecular function; the specific partner (MAP1S) is captured
      in the reference findings.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Per curation guidelines, generic GO:0005515 'protein binding' is not a
      core informative MF; valid interaction evidence but kept non-core.
- term:
    id: GO:0005515
    label: protein binding
  evidence_type: IPI
  original_reference_id: PMID:24728074
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: SH2-domain interactome screen reporting SOCS3 binding to phosphopeptides
      (e.g., KIT, MET). Generic 'protein binding' molecular function.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Generic protein-binding from a high-throughput SH2 screen; not a core
      informative MF.
- term:
    id: GO:0005515
    label: protein binding
  evidence_type: IPI
  original_reference_id: PMID:25203322
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: SOCS3-SNAI1 interaction reported in an EMT study focused on FBXO11/SNAIL.
      Generic 'protein binding' annotation.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Generic protein-binding; not a core informative MF for SOCS3.
- term:
    id: GO:0005515
    label: protein binding
  evidence_type: IPI
  original_reference_id: PMID:25416956
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: Interactions from a proteome-scale binary interactome map (e.g., YES1,
      KIAA1958). Generic 'protein binding'.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: High-throughput Y2H protein-binding; not a core informative MF.
- term:
    id: GO:0005515
    label: protein binding
  evidence_type: IPI
  original_reference_id: PMID:32296183
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: Interactions from the reference human binary interactome map (e.g., YES1,
      TXK, BLK). Generic 'protein binding'.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: High-throughput Y2H protein-binding; not a core informative MF.
- term:
    id: GO:0001784
    label: phosphotyrosine residue binding
  evidence_type: IEA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000107
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: SOCS3 SH2 domain recognizes phosphotyrosine motifs on activated receptors
      and JAK2; phosphotyrosine residue binding is a precise, mechanistically grounded
      molecular function for the SH2 module.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: Accurate and informative MF capturing SH2-mediated pTyr recognition; a
      core docking activity.
- term:
    id: GO:0035198
    label: miRNA binding
  evidence_type: IEA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000107
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: Ortholog-transferred (Ensembl Compara, from mouse O35718) miRNA-binding
      annotation. SOCS3 is not an established RNA/miRNA-binding protein; rather it
      is itself a target of miRNAs (e.g., miR-221). This appears to be an erroneous
      electronic transfer.
    action: MARK_AS_OVER_ANNOTATED
    reason: No credible evidence SOCS3 binds miRNA; likely spurious ortholog transfer,
      possibly confusing SOCS3-as-miRNA-target with miRNA binding.
- term:
    id: GO:0097398
    label: cellular response to interleukin-17
  evidence_type: IEA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000107
  qualifier: involved_in
  review:
    summary: Ortholog-transferred process annotation. SOCS3 is plausibly involved
      in IL-17-related inflammatory responses, but the link is indirect and not central
      to its molecular function.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Plausible but indirect process from electronic transfer; not a core function.
- term:
    id: GO:0016567
    label: protein ubiquitination
  evidence_type: IEA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000041
  qualifier: involved_in
  review:
    summary: SOCS3 is the substrate-recognition subunit of an Elongin BC-Cullin5-RBX2
      (ECS) E3 ubiquitin ligase via its SOCS box, mediating ubiquitination of bound
      receptor/JAK components. Protein ubiquitination is a correct and core process.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: Core SOCS-box-mediated function; concordant with mechanistic literature
      (Kamura et al. 2004) and Reactome CSF3R/CRL5 ubiquitination events.
- term:
    id: GO:0007259
    label: cell surface receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000024
  qualifier: involved_in
  review:
    summary: ISS (from mouse ortholog) placing SOCS3 in JAK-STAT signaling. SOCS3's
      role is specifically negative regulation of this pathway; the parent 'involved_in
      JAK-STAT' is correct but less informative than GO:0046426.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct pathway context but the negative-regulation term is the core,
      more informative annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0019210
    label: kinase inhibitor activity
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000024
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: SOCS3 inhibits JAK tyrosine kinase activity via its KIR (pseudosubstrate)
      and SH2 domain. Kinase inhibitor activity is correct; the more specific child
      term protein kinase inhibitor activity (GO:0004860) is preferred and is independently
      annotated (IDA/TAS).
    action: MODIFY
    reason: Generalize to the more specific, experimentally supported protein kinase
      inhibitor activity.
    proposed_replacement_terms:
    - id: GO:0004860
      label: protein kinase inhibitor activity
- term:
    id: GO:0007259
    label: cell surface receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: PMID:12754505
  qualifier: involved_in
  review:
    summary: ISS from mouse Socs3, supported by in vivo evidence that Socs3 loss prolongs
      IL-6-induced STAT activation. Correct pathway context but less informative than
      the negative-regulation term.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct but general; negative-regulation-of-JAK-STAT is the core annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0019210
    label: kinase inhibitor activity
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: PMID:12754505
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: Kinase-inhibitor MF transferred by similarity. As above, the specific
      protein kinase inhibitor activity term is preferred and is experimentally supported.
    action: MODIFY
    reason: Generalize/refine to the more specific protein kinase inhibitor activity
      term.
    proposed_replacement_terms:
    - id: GO:0004860
      label: protein kinase inhibitor activity
- term:
    id: GO:0070102
    label: interleukin-6-mediated signaling pathway
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: PMID:12754505
  qualifier: involved_in
  review:
    summary: SOCS3 is the dominant feedback inhibitor of IL-6/gp130 signaling in vivo
      (Croker et al. 2003); involvement in the IL-6-mediated signaling pathway is
      well-supported and biologically central.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: Strongly supported, specific, and central to SOCS3 biology (IL-6 brake).
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-6785860
  qualifier: is_active_in
  review:
    summary: SOCS3 acts in the cytosol and at the cytoplasmic face of receptor complexes.
      Cytosolic localization is correct but is a general location, not a core function.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct subcellular location; one of many redundant Reactome cytosol annotations.
- term:
    id: GO:0072540
    label: T-helper 17 cell lineage commitment
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: PMID:27893700
  qualifier: involved_in
  review:
    summary: SOCS3 modulates the IL-6/STAT3 axis that drives Th17 differentiation;
      this is a downstream physiological/developmental consequence rather than SOCS3's
      molecular core function.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Valid process context (IL-6/Th17 axis) but a pleiotropic, downstream role,
      not core.
- term:
    id: GO:0004860
    label: protein kinase inhibitor activity
  evidence_type: IDA
  original_reference_id: PMID:9727029
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: Direct-assay annotation for SOCS3 protein kinase inhibitor activity. SOCS3
      inhibits JAK tyrosine kinase via its KIR/SH2 modules. Although the cached abstract
      title names SOCS-2/IGF-IR, this is the curator-assigned experimental evidence
      for SOCS3 kinase-inhibitor activity and the function is correct for SOCS3.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: Core molecular function of SOCS3 (KIR-mediated JAK inhibition); per guidelines
      an experimental annotation is not removed on the basis of an abstract-only paralog
      title.
- term:
    id: GO:0009898
    label: cytoplasmic side of plasma membrane
  evidence_type: IDA
  original_reference_id: PMID:9727029
  qualifier: is_active_in
  review:
    summary: SOCS3 is recruited to phosphorylated receptor cytoplasmic tails at the
      inner face of the plasma membrane, consistent with this location. Accurate but
      a location, not a core molecular function.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct site of action (receptor tails at the membrane); supporting location
      rather than core function.
- term:
    id: GO:0046426
    label: negative regulation of receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
  evidence_type: IMP
  original_reference_id: PMID:25019494
  qualifier: involved_in
  review:
    summary: Experimental (IMP) support that modulating SOCS3 levels (via miR-221)
      alters JAK-STAT signaling output - downregulating SOCS3 relieves inhibition
      and enhances IFN/JAK/STAT signaling. Confirms SOCS3 as a negative regulator
      of JAK-STAT.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: Core function; experimentally supported negative regulation of JAK-STAT
      signaling.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-1112755
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization (SOCS3 binds IL6ST). Correct location annotation.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct subcellular location; redundant with other cytosol annotations.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-6790041
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization annotation. Correct but redundant.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct location; one of many redundant Reactome cytosol annotations.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-877269
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization (SOCS-1/SOCS-3 bind p-JAK2). Correct location.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-8848110
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization (SOCS3 binds activated PTK6). Correct location.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-8848178
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization (STAT3 stimulates SOCS3 expression). Correct
      location.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-8952039
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization (CRL5/neddylation pathway). Correct location.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-8952044
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization (CRL5/neddylation pathway). Correct location.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-8955241
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization (CAND1/CRL regulation). Correct location.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-8955289
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization (COMMD/CAND1/CRL regulation). Correct location.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-8956040
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization (COP9 signalosome deneddylation). Correct
      location.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-HSA-9705738
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization (SOCS1,3 ubiquitinates CSF3R within a CUL5/ELOB/ELOC/RNF7
      complex). Correct location and consistent with SOCS3 E3-ligase function.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0005829
    label: cytosol
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: Reactome:R-NUL-1169195
  qualifier: located_in
  review:
    summary: Reactome cytosol localization (SOCS binding to growth hormone receptor).
      Correct location.
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Correct location; redundant Reactome cytosol annotation.
- term:
    id: GO:0004860
    label: protein kinase inhibitor activity
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: PMID:9266833
  qualifier: enables
  review:
    summary: TAS annotation for SOCS3 (SSI-3) protein kinase inhibitor activity from
      the SSI-2/SSI-3 cloning/functional paper. Concordant with the IDA and ISS kinase-inhibitor
      annotations; reflects KIR-mediated JAK inhibition.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: Core molecular function; corroborates the protein kinase inhibitor activity
      of SOCS3.
- term:
    id: GO:0043066
    label: negative regulation of apoptotic process
  evidence_type: TAS
  original_reference_id: PMID:9266833
  qualifier: involved_in
  review:
    summary: Based on forced SSI-3/SOCS3 expression suppressing the apoptotic effect
      of LIF in M1 myeloid cells. This is an indirect, downstream consequence of blocking
      LIF/gp130/STAT3 signaling rather than a direct anti-apoptotic molecular activity,
      and is context-dependent (SOCS3 can be pro- or anti-apoptotic depending on cell
      type).
    action: KEEP_AS_NON_CORE
    reason: Indirect, context-dependent downstream effect of JAK-STAT inhibition;
      retained but not a core function.
core_functions:
- description: SH2-mediated docking of SOCS3 onto phosphotyrosine motifs of activated
    cytokine receptors and JAK2, positioning SOCS3 at the receptor/kinase complex.
  supported_by:
  - reference_id: PMID:9266833
    supporting_text: we identified two novel human genes which products have homologous
      region in their SH2 domain and its COOH-terminal region to mouse SSI-1
  - reference_id: PMID:12754505
    supporting_text: Members of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family
      are potentially key physiological negative regulators of interleukin-6 (IL-6)
      signaling.
  molecular_function:
    id: GO:0001784
    label: phosphotyrosine residue binding
  directly_involved_in:
  - id: GO:0019221
    label: cytokine-mediated signaling pathway
  locations:
  - id: GO:0009898
    label: cytoplasmic side of plasma membrane
- description: KIR/SH2-mediated inhibition of JAK tyrosine kinase activity, blocking
    downstream STAT phosphorylation as the catalytic core of SOCS3 negative feedback.
  supported_by:
  - reference_id: PMID:9266833
    supporting_text: Northern blotting analysis and functional studies demonstrated
      that SSI-2 and SSI-3 mRNA were also induced by cytokine stimulation and their
      forced expression in mouse myeloid leukemia cell, M1, suppressed the apoptotic
      effect of LIF, like SSI-1.
  molecular_function:
    id: GO:0004860
    label: protein kinase inhibitor activity
  directly_involved_in:
  - id: GO:0046426
    label: negative regulation of receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
- description: Substrate-recognition subunit of an Elongin BC-Cullin5-RBX2 (ECS) E3
    ubiquitin ligase that, via the SOCS box, targets bound receptor/JAK components
    for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation.
  supported_by:
  - reference_id: PMID:15601820
    supporting_text: The ECS (Elongin B/C-Cul2/Cul5-SOCS-box protein) complex is a
      member of a family of ubiquitin ligases that share a Cullin-Rbx module.
  - reference_id: PMID:15601820
    supporting_text: SOCS-box proteins recruit substrates to the ECS complex and are
      linked to Cullin-Rbx via Elongin B/C.
  molecular_function:
    id: GO:1990756
    label: ubiquitin-like ligase-substrate adaptor activity
  contributes_to_molecular_function:
    id: GO:0061659
    label: ubiquitin-like protein ligase activity
  directly_involved_in:
  - id: GO:0016567
    label: protein ubiquitination
- description: Negative-feedback inhibition of cytokine receptor signaling through
    the JAK-STAT pathway, the integrative core role of SOCS3 (principal brake on IL-6/gp130
    signaling).
  supported_by:
  - reference_id: PMID:12754505
    supporting_text: Socs3 deficiency results in prolonged activation of signal transducer
      and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and STAT3 after IL-6 stimulation but
      normal activation of STAT1 after stimulation with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).
  - reference_id: PMID:9266833
    supporting_text: SSI-1 is thought to play a critical role in negative feedback
      control of JAK-STAT signaling pathway.
  molecular_function:
    id: GO:0004860
    label: protein kinase inhibitor activity
  directly_involved_in:
  - id: GO:0046426
    label: negative regulation of receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
  - id: GO:0070102
    label: interleukin-6-mediated signaling pathway
suggested_questions:
- question: To what extent does SOCS3-mediated ubiquitination/proteasomal degradation
    of receptor complexes (via the Cul5 ECS ligase) contribute to signal termination
    versus the direct KIR-mediated kinase-inhibition mechanism, and are these separable
    in vivo?
- question: Which receptor phosphotyrosine motifs and JAK isoforms are the physiologically
    dominant SOCS3 targets in different tissues (liver, adipose, immune cells)?
suggested_experiments:
- description: Separation-of-function mutants (KIR-dead vs SOCS-box-dead vs SH2-dead)
    expressed at endogenous levels, assayed for IL-6/gp130 STAT3 signaling kinetics
    and receptor/JAK ubiquitination, to dissect the relative contribution of kinase
    inhibition versus E3-ligase-mediated degradation.
- description: Quantitative proteomics (ubiquitinome/degradomics) in SOCS3-null versus
    reconstituted cells after IL-6/EPO/leptin stimulation to identify the physiological
    SOCS3 ECS-ligase substrates.