Abstract

Ligands of the transforming growth factor- (TGF) superfamily of growth factors initiate signal transduction through a bewildering complexity of ligand–receptor interactions. Signalling then converges to nuclear accumulation of transcriptionally active SMAD complexes and gives rise to a plethora of specific functional responses in both embryos and adult organisms. Current research is focused on the mechanisms that regulate SMAD activity to evoke cell-type-specific and context-dependent transcriptional programmes. An equally important challenge is understanding the functional role of signal strength and duration. How are these quantitative aspects of the extracellular signal regulated? How are they then sensed and interpreted, and how do they affect responses?

Author affiliations

1. Developmental Signalling Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PX, UK.

Correspondence to: Caroline S. Hill¹ Email: caroline.hill@cancer.org.uk

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.