The tale of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) signaling: a soigné enigma.
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) is a secreted cytokine, which intricately controls a plethora of physiological and pathological processes during development and carcinogenesis. TGFbeta exerts antiproliferative effects and functions as a tumor suppressor during early stages of tumorigenesis, whereas at later stages it functions as a tumor promoter aiding in metastatic progression through an autocrine TGFbeta loop. Intricate knowledge of TGFbeta signaling and its regulation are still evolving. In this review, we make an attempt to showcase the associated enigma of TGFbeta signaling in its dual functional role as tumor suppressor and metastatic promoter during early and late stages of carcinogenesis, respectively.
Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Arindam
A
Chaudhury
Philip H
PH
Howe
D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000473:pathology; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051785:Smad Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins