In or out? The dynamics of Smad nucleocytoplasmic shuttling.
Members of the TGF-beta family of growth factors mediate their effects through activation of intracellular Smad proteins, which form transcriptionally competent complexes that accumulate in the nucleus. Recently, several reports have demonstrated that Smads actively shuttle between the cytoplasm and nucleus by distinct mechanisms. Here, we summarize what is known about the dynamics of Smad localization and suggest reasons why nucleocytoplasmic shuttling might be important for proper signal transduction.
Program in Molecular Biology and Cancer, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Teresa
T
Reguly
Jeffrey L
JL
Wrana
D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D008954:Models, Biological; D021381:Protein Transport; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
D008024:Ligands; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta