TGF-? intracellular signal transduction and Smads protein / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

Transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?) is a multifunctional peptide growth factor with a wide range of effects. TGF-? signals are conveyed through cell-surface serine/threonine kinase receptors to the downstream cytoplasmic mediators, known as Smads proteins. Receptor-regulated Smads become phosphorylated by activated type Ⅰ receptors and form heteromeric complexes with a common Smad-Smad4, which translocates into the nucleus to regulate gene transcription. Inhibitory Smads inhibit the activation of receptor-regulated Smads. There are positive, negative and feedback regulations in the Smads mediated TGF-? signaling pathway.