Inhibitory Smad7: Emerging Roles in Health and Disease

• DOI: 10.2174/1874467211104020141
• Publication Date: 2012-11-07T06:42:24Z
• Authors: Marco A. Briones-...; Angeles C. Tecalc...; Marcela Sosa-Garr...; Cassandre Caligaris; Marina Macias-Silva
• Keywords: Crosstalk; R-SMAD

Smad7 is an inhibitory Smad protein that blocks Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling through a negative feedback loop, also capable of mediating the crosstalk between TGF-β and other pathways. mRNA levels are upregulated after signaling; subsequently, binds type I receptor blocking R-Smad phosphorylation eventually signaling. Because this function, can antagonize diverse cellular processes regulated by such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, adhesion migration. induction different cytokines, besides TGF-β, critical for crosstalk/integration variety pathways, relevant in pathology some diseases. Thus, plays key role control various physiological events, even pathological including fibrosis cancer. This review highlights main known functions with particular focus on relevance alterations function may have homeostasis, describing emerging roles development several human diseases identify potential therapeutic target. Keywords: ALK5, cancer, fibrosis, Smad, Smad7, TGF, POSTTRANSLATIONAL MODIFICATIONS, SIGNALING PATHWAYS, apoptosis