In the mammalian brain, the specification of a single axon and multiple dendrites occurs early in the differentiation of most neuron types. Numerous intracellular signaling events for axon specification have been described in detail. However, the identity of the extracellular factor(s) that initiate neuronal polarity in vivo is unknown. Here, we report that transforming growth factor beta (TGF-...

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) receptor (TbetaR) signaling contributes to normal development as well as tumorigenesis. Here we report that RIN1, a RAB5 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and down regulator of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), promotes TbetaR signaling through enhanced endocytosis. TbetaR activation induces SNAI1 (Snail), a transcription repressor that reduces ...

Three human colon cancer lines (SW 480, SW 620, WIDR) were characterized as to their production of molecules with transforming growth factor (TGF)-like activity. Production of both TGF alpha-like and TGF beta-like activity was quantitated, as were cellular receptors for these molecules, and growth response in soft agar to exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) (as a substitute for TGF alpha) a...

The transforming growth factor beta s (TGF-beta) comprise a family of M(r) 25,000 pluripotent growth factors which have been implicated in the development and progression of human breast cancer. Conflicting data suggest that TGF-beta has the potential to either inhibit or promote the progression of mammary neoplasia. We therefore examined a pathological library of malignant breast biopsy specim...

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) family ligands initiate a cascade of events capable of modulating cellular growth and differentiation. The receptors responsible for transducing these cellular signals are referred to as the type I and type II TGF beta receptors. Ligand binding to the type II receptor results in the transphosphorylation and activation of the type I receptor. This heter...

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) constitute the major cellular component of the vessel tunica media. VSMC proliferation is a key feature in developing vessels and pathological states such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is a key regulator of VSMCs, but its effect on VSMC proliferation and apoptosis are controversial. Here, we characterized TGF-beta e...

To investigate the mechanisms underlying contraction of the stomach wall in cases of gastric scirrhous carcinoma, we have developed an in vitro model for gastric cancer, in which both fibroblasts and gastric carcinoma cells are embedded within a collagen matrix. Gastric carcinoma cells of the scirrhous type (KATO-III) but not the nonscirrhous type (MKN-28) markedly enhanced the ability of human...

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) exerts profound inhibitory effects on a number of cell types, including normal B- and T-lymphocytes. In contrast, we have found a number of lymphoid tumor cell lines to be insensitive to the antiproliferative effects of TGF-beta 1 or TGF-beta 2. Binding and cross-linking with radioiodinated TGF-beta 1 demonstrated either low or absent expression of all...

In addition to the modulation of vascular tone, angiotensin II (Ang II) has growth factor-like effects in vascular tissue. The mechanisms whereby Ang II mediates these trophic actions are incompletely understood but are thought to include effects on systemic blood pressure, stimulation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) expression, and transactivation of growth factor receptor kinase...

Purpose. Production of active transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta ) by human osteosarcoma may contribute to malignant progression through mechanisms that include induction of angiogenesis, immune suppression and autocrine growth stimulation of tumor cell growth.To study events associated with induction of cell proliferation by TGF-beta , we have evaluated the TGF-beta pathway in two murin...