Prediction and experimental validation of a putative non-consensus binding site for transcription factor STAT3 in serum amyloid A gene promoter

► STAT3 induces serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) gene expression via the IL-6 transduction. ► No recognizable STAT3-RE is characterized near the NF-κB RE in the SAA gene promoters. ► A computational method was used to identify non-consensus STAT3-REs in SAA1 promoter. ► The candidates were evaluated with dual-luciferase reporter and DNA binding assays. ► By recognizing a wider array of REs, STAT3 may regulate a larger number of targets.