title: Modulation of TGF-beta signaling by EGF-CFC proteins.
abstract: Members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family of ligands exhibit potent growth-suppressive and/or apoptosis-inducing effects on different types of cells. They perform essential roles in the elimination of damaged or abnormal cells from healthy tissues. On the other hand, TGF-betas have also been shown to act as tumor-promoting cytokines in a number of malignancies that are capable of stimulating extracellular matrix production, cell migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune suppression. Dissecting the complex, multifaceted roles of different TGF-beta-related peptides especially during the development of pathological conditions and in carcinogenesis is an area of continuous research and development. The characterization of EGF-CFC proteins as essential co-receptors that contribute to the modulation of the physiological activities of some of the TGF-beta ligands will be beneficial for future medical research and the adaptation and possible readjustment of currently applied therapeutic regimes.
authors.affiliation: Upper Austrian Research GmbH, Center for Biomedical Nanotechnology, Scharitzerstrasse 6-8, 4th floor, 4020 Linz, Austria. christian.wechselberger@uar.at
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wechselberger
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Strizzi
authors.forename: Andreas D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Ebert
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kenney
authors.forename: Youping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Salomon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C070636:TDGF1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor