Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 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

Endocytic regulation of TGF-beta signaling

Ye-Guang Chen1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. ygchen@tsinghua.edu.cn

Cell Research
|December 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor endocytosis is a key regulator of cell signaling. This review explores how clathrin-mediated and lipid raft pathways influence TGF-beta receptor internalization and signaling outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular signaling
  • Receptor trafficking

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling is crucial for physiological processes.
  • TGF-beta receptor internalization is a significant regulatory mechanism.
  • Understanding receptor endocytosis is vital for comprehending TGF-beta pathway modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current knowledge on TGF-beta receptor endocytosis.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms involved in TGF-beta receptor internalization.
  • To examine the role of endocytosis in modulating TGF-beta signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on TGF-beta receptor endocytosis.
  • Analysis of mechanisms including clathrin-coated vesicles and lipid rafts.
  • Investigation of the impact of endocytosis on Smad activation and transcriptional responses.

Main Results:

  • TGF-beta receptors are internalized via clathrin-coated vesicles and lipid rafts/caveolae.
  • Clathrin-mediated endocytosis promotes TGF-beta-induced Smad activation.
  • Lipid rafts may facilitate TGF-beta receptor degradation, terminating signaling.

Conclusions:

  • Receptor endocytosis is a critical regulator of TGF-beta signaling.
  • Distinct endocytic pathways differentially impact TGF-beta signaling outcomes.
  • Further research into these pathways can reveal therapeutic targets.

More Related Videos

Molecular Analysis of Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling07:49

Molecular Analysis of Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling

Published on: August 3, 2018

Visualization and Quantification of TGFβ/BMP/SMAD Signaling under Different Fluid Shear Stress Conditions using Proximity-Ligation-Assay11:38

Visualization and Quantification of TGFβ/BMP/SMAD Signaling under Different Fluid Shear Stress Conditions using Proximity-Ligation-Assay

Published on: September 14, 2021

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...
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs01:15

Receptor Downregulation in MVBs

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that  lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR  stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive  EGFR activation may...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade01:22

Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade

When a ligand binds to a cell-surface receptor, the receptor's intracellular domain changes shape, which may either activate its enzyme function or allow its binding to other molecules. The initial signal is amplified by most signal transduction pathways. This means that a single ligand molecule can activate multiple molecules of a downstream target. Proteins that relay a signal are most commonly phosphorylated at one or more sites, activating or inactivating the protein. Kinases catalyze the...
Regulated Protein Degradation02:58

Regulated Protein Degradation

It is vital to regulate the activity of enzymatic as well as non-enzymatic proteins inside the cell. This can be achieved either through creating a balance between their rate of synthesis and degradation or regulating the intrinsic activity of the protein. Both these regulation mechanisms play an essential role in the normal functioning of cells.
Protein degradation plays two important roles in the cells. It helps to protect cells from misfolded or damaged proteins before they lead to a...