Crosstalk between TGF-β signaling and epigenome

Jianbo Bai1,2, Qiaoran Xi1

  • 1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.

Insights

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway regulates gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. This review highlights how R-SMAD interactions with epigenetic regulators impact development and disease, especially cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway is crucial for embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, immunity, and repair.
  • Dysregulation of TGF-β signaling is linked to severe diseases, including cancer.
  • Epigenetic regulation plays a key role in mediating cellular responses to TGF-β signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review epigenetic regulatory mechanisms within the TGF-β signaling pathway during mammalian development and disease.
  • To elucidate the central role of receptor-activated SMAD (R-SMAD) interactions with epigenetic regulators.
  • To discuss the implications of TGF-β signaling and epigenome crosstalk in transcriptional regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on epigenetic mechanisms in TGF-β signaling.
  • Analysis of R-SMAD interactions with epigenetic modifiers.
  • Examination of studies on mammalian development and disease models.

Main Results:

  • TGF-β signaling utilizes epigenetic regulation for cell context-dependent responses.
  • R-SMAD proteins recruit epigenetic regulators to modulate gene expression.
  • Crosstalk between TGF-β signaling and the epigenome fine-tunes transcription.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic regulation is integral to TGF-β signaling, influencing development and disease.
  • The interaction between R-SMAD and epigenetic regulators is critical for shaping the transcriptome.
  • Understanding this crosstalk offers insights into developmental processes and cancer progression.

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