Control of connective tissue gene expression by TGF beta: role of Smad proteins in fibrosis.
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) plays a critical role in the development of tissue fibrosis. Its expression is consistently elevated in affected organs and correlates with increased extracellular matrix deposition. During the last few years, tremendous progress has been made in understanding the molecular aspects of intracellular signaling downstream of the TGF beta receptors. In particular, Smad proteins--TGF beta receptor kinase substrates that translocate into the cell nucleus to act as transcription factors--have been studied extensively. Their role in the modulation of extracellular matrix gene expression is discussed in this review.
Verrecchia
Franck
F
INSERM U532, Institut de Recherche sur la Peau, Pavillon Bazin, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 1, avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France. mauviel@chu-stlouis.fr
Mauviel
Alain
A
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D005355:Fibrosis; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051785:Smad Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000502:physiology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051785:Smad Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta