Transforming growth factor-beta receptor III downregulation in prostate cancer: is inhibin B a tumor suppressor in prostate?
The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) pathway plays dual roles in cancer, inhibiting epithelial cell growth under normal physiologic conditions, but promoting invasion and metastasis once growth inhibitory responses are lost. Two recent papers show that TGF-beta receptor III is the most common TGF-beta pathway component downregulated in prostate cancer. Here, we discuss the implications of these findings and what it may mean about the biology of this disease.
Sharifi
Nima
N
Cancer Stem Cell Section, Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA. nima.sharifi@nih.gov
Lechleider
Robert J
RJ
Farrar
William L
WL
D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D011509:Proteoglycans; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C422364:inhibin B; C071736:betaglycan; D007265:Inhibins