Smad transcription factors are central to the signal transduction pathway that mediates the numerous effects of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily of cytokines in metazoan embryo development as well as in adult tissue regeneration and homeostasis. Although Smad proteins are conserved, recent genome-sequencing projects have revealed their sequence variation in metazoan evolution, human polymorphisms, and cancer. Structural studies of Smads bound to partner proteins and target DNA provide a framework for understanding the significance of these evolutionary and pathologic sequence variations. We synthesize the extant mutational and structural data to suggest how genetic variation in Smads may affect the structure, regulation, and function of these proteins. We also present a web application that compares Smad sequences and displays Smad protein structures and their disease-associated variants.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4485443 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2015.03.012 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
From Monocyclization to Pentacyclization: A Versatile Plant Cyclase Produces Diverse Sesterterpenes with Anti-Liver Fibrosis Potential.
Adv Sci (Weinh)
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, and Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, P. R. China.
A prolific multi-product sesterterpene synthase CbTPS1 is characterized from the medicinal Brassicaceae plant Capsella bursa-pastoris. Twenty different sesterterpenes including 16 undescribed compounds, possessing 10 different mono-/di-/tri-/tetra-/penta-carbocyclic skeletons, including the unique 15-membered macrocyclic and 24(15→14)-abeo-capbuane scaffolds, are isolated and structurally elucidated from engineered Escherichia coli strains expressing CbTPS1. Site-directed mutagenesis assisted by molecular dynamics simulations resulted in the variant L354M with up to 13.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA Recombinant Antibody Against ALK2 Promotes Tissue Iron Redistribution and Contributes to Anemia Resolution in a Mouse Model of Anemia of Inflammation.
Am J Hematol
January 2025
Keros Therapeutics, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA.
Patients with chronic inflammation are burdened with anemia of inflammation (AI), where inflammatory cytokines inhibit erythropoiesis, impede erythropoietin production, and limit iron availability by inducing the iron regulator hepcidin. High hepcidin hinders iron absorption and recycling, thereby worsening the impaired erythropoiesis by restricting iron availability. AI management is important as anemia impacts quality of life and potentially affects morbidity and mortality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBroadening horizons: molecular mechanisms and disease implications of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
Cell Commun Signal
January 2025
School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is defined as an important process of cellular differentiation by which endothelial cells (ECs) are prone to lose their characteristics and transform into mesenchymal cells. During EndMT, reduced expression of endothelial adhesion molecules disrupts intercellular adhesion, triggering cytoskeletal reorganization and mesenchymal transition. Numerous studies have proved that EndMT is a multifaceted biological event driven primarily by cytokines such as TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-1β, alongside signaling pathways like WNT, Smad, MEK-ERK, and Notch.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFα-arbutin prevents UVA-induced skin photodamage via alleviating DNA damage and collagen degradation in NIH-3T3 cells.
J Photochem Photobiol B
January 2025
HBN Research Institute and Biological Laboratory, Shenzhen Hujia Technology Co., Ltd., 518000 Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China. Electronic address:
Ultraviolet radiation (UV) causes certain side effects to the skin, and their accumulation to a certain extent can lead to accelerated aging of the skin. Recent studies suggest that α-arbutin may be useful in various disorders such as hyperpigmentation disorders, wound healing, and antioxidant activity. However, the role of α-arbutin in skin photodamage is unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhytochemical and Antioxidant Analysis of Bioactive Compound Extract from Nelumbo nucifera against Cancer Proteins: In Silico Spectroscopic Approach.
Appl Biochem Biotechnol
January 2025
Centre for Applied Research, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 602105, India.
Nelumbo nucifera, an aquatic crop cultivated throughout Asian countries, belongs to the Nelumbonaceae family and has been widely used in traditional medicines with key pharmacological activities such as anti-viral, antipyretic, antioxidant, anti-steroid, anti-inflammatory, anti-arrhythmia, anti-obesity, and anti-aging properties. The present study aims to explore and assess the phytochemical composition, GC-MS profiling, antioxidant efficacy, and the major phytoconstituent phytol subjected to theoretical spectroscopic characterization using the DFT method. The phytochemical profiling of N.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!