TGF-β and its coreceptors in cancerogenesis: an overview

Biomark Med. 2011 Dec;5(6):855-63. doi: 10.2217/bmm.11.59.

Abstract

Besides signaling serine/threonine kinases, such as TGF-β receptors I and II, the TGF-β pathway involves several auxiliary receptors or coreceptors. Recent studies show that these coreceptors, particulary endoglin and β-glycan, have greater significance than previously thought. They regulate the availability of ligands to the key receptors, as well as their interaction and response, which could be variable and context-dependent. Understanding their true mechanism of action is important for delineating the complexity of the entire TGF-β signaling pathway. This is especially important in the context of cancerogenesis, because of therapeutic possibilities to manipulate the TGF-β system.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Endoglin
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Proteoglycans / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • ENG protein, human
  • Endoglin
  • Proteoglycans
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • betaglycan