TRAF4 mediates activation of TGF-β signaling and is a biomarker for oncogenesis in breast cancer

Sci China Life Sci. 2014 Dec;57(12):1172-6. doi: 10.1007/s11427-014-4727-x. Epub 2014 Sep 24.

Abstract

The tumor-promoting arm of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) receptor signaling contributes to advanced cancer progression and is considered a master regulator of breast cancer metastasis. In mammals, there are six distinct members in the tumor-necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor (TRAF) family (TRAF1-TRAF6), with the function of TRAF4 not being extensively studied in the past decade. Although numerous studies have suggested that there is elevated TRAF4 expression in human cancer, it is still unknown in which oncogenic pathway TRAF4 is mainly implicated. This review highlights TGF-β-induced SMAD-dependent signaling and non-SMAD signaling as the major pathways regulated by TRAF4 involved in breast cancer metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Prognosis
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Smad Proteins / metabolism
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 4 / physiology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Smad Proteins
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 4
  • TRAF4 protein, human
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • SMURF2 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases