Signal transduction of TGF-.BETA. by Smad.

概要

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Transforming growth factor (TGF) -βs, activins/inhibins, and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) form the TGF-β superfamily, members of which are involved in a wide variety of biological phenomena including inflammation. Signals of the TGF-β superfamily are propagated by two types of serine/threonine kinase receptors across the cell membrane. Recent discovery of the Smad proteins has led to the elucidation of intracellular signal transduction of the TGF-β superfamily. Three classes of Smads have been identified. Class I Smads are directly phosphorylated by the type I receptors and mediate receptor-specific signals. Smad4, the only vertebrate class II Smad identified, acts as a common partner of the class I Smads by forming heteromeric complexes. Class III Smads inhibit signals by interfering with the phosphorylation of the class I Smads. Complexes of the class I and class II Smads work as transcriptional activators in the nucleus following translocation from the cytoplasm. Furthermore, signals of the TGF-β superfamily may have cross-talks with other signaling pathways via Smad proteins. Elucidation of the Smad functions will help to understand the molecular basis of the inflammatory processes.
日本炎症・再生医学会の論文