Dynamic control of TGF-beta signaling and its links to the cytoskeleton.
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) regulates cellular behavior in embryonic and adult tissues. TGF-beta binding to serine/threonine kinase receptors on the plasma membrane activates Smad molecules and additional signaling proteins that coordinately regulate gene expression or cytoplasmic processes such as cytoskeletal dynamics. In turn, the activity and duration of the Smad pathway seems to be regulated by cytoskeletal components, which facilitate the shuttling process that segregates Smad proteins in the cytoplasm and nucleus. We discuss mechanisms and models that aim at explaining the coordination between several components of the signaling network downstream of the TGF-beta signal.
Moustakas
Aristidis
A
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 595, Biomedical Center, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden. aris.moustakas@licr.uu.se
Heldin
Carl-Henrik
CH
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051785:Smad Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta