Overview

The transforming growth factor-β (TGFB1) cell signaling pathway plays a complex role in cancer development, progression, and metastasis. SMADs function in cell signal transduction from TGFB1 ligands to activate gene transcription. The TGFB1 signaling pathway may be activated by a TGFB1 dimer binding to the TGFBR2 receptor. [1]

Figure 1. Binding of the TGFB1 ligand dimer to the TGF-beta receptor type-2 (TGFBR2) promotes dimerization of TGFBR2 with TGFBR1 and results in transphosphorylation of TGFBR1. The activated TGF-beta receptor type-1 activates R-SMADs (SMAD2 and SMAD3) via phosphorylation. SMAD2 and SMAD3 trimerize with a co-SMAD (SMAD4). The SMAD trimer enters the nucleus to activate gene transcription and promote cell growth and survival. Specific nodes in the pathway that are therapeutically actionable are noted.

References

1. All assertions and clinical trial landscape data are curated from primary sources. You can read more about the curation process here.