Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 17, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
06:54

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

Growth regulatory factors and carcinogenesis: the roles played by transforming growth factor beta, its receptors and

D L Kelly1, A Rizzino

  • 1Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-6805, USA.

Anticancer Research
|March 4, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling is crucial for cell growth and cancer. Aberrant TGF-beta receptor or pathway signaling contributes to cancer development and progression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Growth factors regulate cell proliferation and differentiation.
  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily members are implicated in various diseases, notably cancer.
  • Understanding TGF-beta's mechanisms involves studying its receptors and downstream signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of TGF-beta receptors and their downstream signaling pathways.
  • To highlight the role of TGF-beta pathway dysregulation in carcinogenesis.
  • To discuss the potential of the Cancer Genome Anatomy Project in cancer diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of TGF-beta signaling pathways.
  • Analysis of the role of TGF-beta receptors in cancer.
  • Discussion of cancer genomics initiatives.

Main Results:

  • TGF-beta receptors and signaling pathways are critical for cell growth regulation.
  • Inactivation of TGF-beta receptors or signaling components is a common event in cancer.
  • Mutations or altered expression in the TGF-beta pathway can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation.
  • The Cancer Genome Anatomy Project may aid in identifying aberrant growth factor expression.

Conclusions:

  • Dysregulation of the TGF-beta signaling pathway is a key mechanism in cancer development.
  • Targeting the TGF-beta pathway offers potential therapeutic strategies.
  • Genomic projects can enhance cancer diagnosis and identify novel therapeutic targets.

More Related Videos

Spheroid Assay to Measure TGF-β-induced Invasion09:18

Spheroid Assay to Measure TGF-β-induced Invasion

Published on: November 16, 2011

Related Concept Videos

TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...