Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2025

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
09:29

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies

Published on: September 30, 2016

13.7K

Exploring the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of SMAD4 in colorectal cancer

Hui Shan1, Guangyu Tian2, Yeqing Zhang3

  • 1Department of Oncology, the Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.

Cancer Biology & Therapy
|August 20, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Colorectal cancer (CRC) involves key signaling pathways. This review explores SMAD4 protein

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading global malignancy.
  • CRC development is linked to molecular alterations in signaling pathways.
  • Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is critical in cellular processes relevant to CRC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the function of SMAD4 protein in colorectal cancer.
  • To evaluate SMAD4 as a potential therapeutic target for CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on SMAD4 in CRC.
  • Analysis of SMAD4's role in TGF-β signaling pathway.

Main Results:

  • SMAD4 is a key transcription factor in the TGF-β pathway.
  • SMAD4 plays a significant role in CRC onset and progression.
  • SMAD4 exhibits a dual role in early and late tumor stages, indicating complexity.

Conclusions:

  • SMAD4's complex, stage-dependent role in CRC warrants further investigation.
  • Understanding SMAD4's function is crucial for developing targeted CRC therapies.
Keywords:
CRCSMAD4 proteinTgf-β pathway

More Related Videos

Fluorescence-based Monitoring of PAD4 Activity via a Pro-fluorescence Substrate Analog08:37

Fluorescence-based Monitoring of PAD4 Activity via a Pro-fluorescence Substrate Analog

Published on: November 5, 2014

9.9K
Discovery of Driver Genes in Colorectal HT29-derived Cancer Stem-Like Tumorspheres06:52

Discovery of Driver Genes in Colorectal HT29-derived Cancer Stem-Like Tumorspheres

Published on: July 22, 2020

6.5K

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...
7.3K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
4.7K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.5K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.5K