Role of Smads in TGFβ signaling

CH Heldin, A Moustakas - Cell and tissue research, 2012 - Springer
CH Heldin, A Moustakas
Cell and tissue research, 2012Springer
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is the prototype for a large family of pleiotropic factors
that signal via heterotetrameric complexes of type I and type II serine/threonine kinase
receptors. Important intracellular mediators of TGFβ signaling are members of the Smad
family. Smad2 and 3 are activated by C-terminal receptor-mediated phosphorylation,
whereafter they form complexes with Smad4 and are translocated to the nucleus where they,
in cooperation with other transcription factors, co-activators and co-repressors, regulate the …
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is the prototype for a large family of pleiotropic factors that signal via heterotetrameric complexes of type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors. Important intracellular mediators of TGFβ signaling are members of the Smad family. Smad2 and 3 are activated by C-terminal receptor-mediated phosphorylation, whereafter they form complexes with Smad4 and are translocated to the nucleus where they, in cooperation with other transcription factors, co-activators and co-repressors, regulate the transcription of specific genes. Smads have key roles in exerting TGFβ-induced programs leading to cell growth arrest and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The activity and stability of Smad molecules are carefully regulated by a plethora of post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, acetylation and poly(ADP)-ribosylation. The Smad function has been shown to be perturbed in certain diseases such as cancer.
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