Mammalian dwarfins are phosphorylated in response to transforming growth factor beta and are implicated in control of cell growth.

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.93.17.8940
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:32:33Z
• Authors: J M Yingling; P Das; C Savage; M Zhang; R W Padgett; X F Wang
• Keywords: R-SMAD

The dwarfin protein family has been genetically implicated in transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-like signaling pathways Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans. To investigate the role of these proteins mammalian pathways, we have isolated studied two murine dwarfins, dwarfin-A dwarfin-C. Using antibodies against dwarfin-C, show that dwarfins an immunogenically related protein, presumably also a dwarfin, are phosphorylated time- dose-dependent manner response to TGF-beta. Bone morphogenetic 2, TGF-beta superfamily ligand, induces phosphorylation only protein. Thus, members may use overlapping yet distinct mediate their intracellular signals. Furthermore, transient overexpression either or dwarfin-C causes arrest, implicating regulation. This work provides strong biochemical preliminary functional evidence represent prototypic serve as mediators for members.