Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
Published on: October 27, 2020
Thy-1, a versatile modulator of signaling affecting cellular adhesion, proliferation, survival, and cytokine/growth
1The Department of Cell Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, VH 648A, 1670 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294-0019, USA.
Thy-1 is a 25-37 kDa glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein involved in T cell activation, neurite outgrowth, apoptosis, tumor suppression, wound healing, and fibrosis. To mediate these diverse effects, Thy-1 participates in multiple signaling cascades. In this review, we discuss Thy-1 signaling primarily in non-immunologic cell types, including neurons, mesangial cells, ovarian cancer cells, nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. We review the current literature regarding Thy-1 signaling via integrins, protein tyrosine kinases, and cytokines and growth factors; and the roles of these signaling pathways in cellular adhesion, apoptosis, cell proliferation, and cell adhesion and migration. We also discuss the role of Thy-1 localization to lipid rafts, and of the GPI anchor in Thy-1 signaling. Ongoing research on the mechanisms of Thy-1 signaling will add to our understanding of the diverse physiologic and pathologic processes in which Thy-1 plays a role.
Thy-1 is a 25-37 kDa glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein involved in T cell activation, neurite outgrowth, apoptosis, tumor suppression, wound healing, and fibrosis. To mediate these diverse effects, Thy-1 participates in multiple signaling cascades. In this review, we discuss Thy-1 signaling primarily in non-immunologic cell types, including neurons, mesangial cells, ovarian cancer cells, nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. We review the current literature regarding Thy-1 signaling via integrins, protein tyrosine kinases, and cytokines and growth factors; and the roles of these signaling pathways in cellular adhesion, apoptosis, cell proliferation, and cell adhesion and migration. We also discuss the role of Thy-1 localization to lipid rafts, and of the GPI anchor in Thy-1 signaling. Ongoing research on the mechanisms of Thy-1 signaling will add to our understanding of the diverse physiologic and pathologic processes in which Thy-1 plays a role.
Related Concept Videos
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
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...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...

