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The Power of Simplicity: Sea Urchin Embryos as in Vivo Developmental Models for Studying Complex Cell-to-cell Signaling Network Interactions
Published on: February 16, 2017
An evolving web of signaling networks regulated by Cripto-1
Tadahiro Nagaoka1, Hideaki Karasawa, Nadia Pereira Castro
1Tumor Growth Factor Section, Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Growth Factors (Chur, Switzerland)
|December 14, 2011
Summary
Cripto-1 is crucial for embryonic development but absent in adults, except in stem cells. It is re-expressed in tumors, driving cancer growth by interacting with multiple signaling pathways.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Cripto-1 (Growth Differentiation Factor 1) is an embryonic gene vital for development.
- Its expression significantly decreases in adult tissues, with potential roles in adult stem cells.
- Re-expression of Cripto-1 is observed in various human tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated survey of signaling pathways modulated by Cripto-1.
- To elucidate the mechanistic insights into Cripto-1's biological functions in eukaryotic cells.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical studies
- Cell biology investigations
- Animal studies
Main Results:
- Cripto-1 promotes tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and angiogenesis.
- Cripto-1 interacts with numerous signaling molecules, including TGF-β family members (Nodal, GDF-1/-3, Activin, TGF-β1).
- Cripto-1 activates the c-src/MAPK/Protein Kinase B (AKT) pathway and cross-talks with Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and other pathways.
Conclusions:
- Cripto-1's diverse biological effects stem from its interactions with multiple signaling pathways.
- Understanding these interactions is key to deciphering Cripto-1's role in both development and cancer.
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