Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
Published on: October 27, 2020
The effects of apolipoproteins E3 and E4 on the transforming growth factor-β system in targeted replacement mice
Adi Haas1, Ori Liraz, Daniel M Michaelson
1Department of Neurobiology, The George S Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Background:
This study examined the possibility that apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4), the most prevalent genetic risk factor of Alzheimer's disease, interacts isoform specifically with the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β system.
Methods:
This was pursued by measurements of the effects of apoE3 and apoE4 on the levels of TGF-β ligands and on activation of the Smad system in brains of human apoE targeted replacement mice, utilizing Western blot.
Results:
The study revealed that apoE4 reduces, isoform specifically, the levels of TGF-β(1), TGF-β(2) and TGF-β(3) in the septum and of TGF-β(3) in the hippocampus. In contrast, the levels and extent of phosphorylation of Smad1, 5 and 8 as well as of Smad2 and Smad3 in these brain areas were not affected by apoE4, suggesting that the apoE4-driven effects on the TGF-β system may be mediated via the Smad-independent non-canonical pathway.
Conclusion:
The possible role of the TGF-β system in mediating the pathological effects of apoE4 is discussed.
Related Concept Videos
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
01:11Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal