title: Decrypting the role of Cripto in tumorigenesis.
abstract: The cell-surface associated molecule Cripto is overexpressed in a wide range of epithelial cancers, yet little is known about potential mechanisms by which Cripto expression might enhance tumorigenesis. A new study reveals that binding of Cripto to the TGF-beta ligand Activin B can block Activin B-mediated suppression of cell proliferation. Furthermore, this study also demonstrates that antibody blockade of Cripto function may prove useful in the inhibition of tumorigenesis.
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, 679 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA. mshen@cabm.rutgers.edu
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000378:metabolism; D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008954:Models, Biological; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D055457:Nodal Protein; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C526007:NODAL protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D055457:Nodal Protein; C070636:TDGF1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D028341:Activins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor