title: The TGF-beta--Smad network: introducing bioinformatic tools.
abstract: The TGF-beta superfamily is an important class of intercellular signalling molecule, including TGF-beta and bone morphogenetic proteins. Intracellular signalling cascades triggered by these molecules eventually activate transcription factors of the Smad family, which then regulate expression of their respective target genes. This article will discuss the TGF-beta--Smad signalling networks and how these processes are represented in databases of signal transduction and transcription control mechanisms. These databases can provide a well-structured overview of the subject and a basis for advanced bioinformatics analyses to interpret the function of genomic sequences or to analyse signalling networks.
authors.affiliation: BIOBASE GmbH, Biological Databases, Halchtersche Strasse 33, D-38304 Wolfenbüttel, Germany. dkl@biobase.de
authors.forename: Dorothee U
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Kloos
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wingender
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D011487:Protein Conformation; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051785:Smad Proteins; D051901:Smad4 Protein; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C497796:SMAD4 protein, human; D051785:Smad Proteins; D051901:Smad4 Protein; D015534:Trans-Activators; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D004247:DNA