Pro-metastasis function of TGFbeta mediated by the Smad pathway.
The transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) signaling pathway plays a vital role in the development and homeostasis of normal tissues. Abnormal function of this pathway contributes to the initiation and progression of cancer. Smad proteins are key signal transducers of the TGFbeta pathway and are essential for the growth suppression function of TGFbeta. Smads are bona fide tumor suppressors whose mutation, deletion, and silencing are associated with many types of human cancer. However, the involvement and functional mechanism of Smad proteins in cancer metastasis are poorly defined. Recent studies using genetically modified cancer cells and mouse tumor models have provided concrete evidence for a Smad-dependent mechanism for metastasis promotion by TGFbeta. Understanding the dual roles of Smad proteins in tumor initiation and progression has important implications for cancer therapeutics.
Kang
Yibin
Y
Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA. ykang@molbio.princeton.edu
D000818:Animals; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D051785:Smad Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins