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Muñoz Forti K, Weisman GA, Jasmer KJ. Cell type-specific transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling in the regulation of salivary gland fibrosis and regeneration. J Oral Biol Craniofac Res 2024; 14:257-272. [PMID: 38559587 PMCID: PMC10979288 DOI: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Salivary gland damage and hypofunction result from various disorders, including autoimmune Sjögren's disease (SjD) and IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), as well as a side effect of radiotherapy for treating head and neck cancers. There are no therapeutic strategies to prevent the loss of salivary gland function in these disorders nor facilitate functional salivary gland regeneration. However, ongoing aquaporin-1 gene therapy trials to restore saliva flow show promise. To identify and develop novel therapeutic targets, we must better understand the cell-specific signaling processes involved in salivary gland regeneration. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is essential to tissue fibrosis, a major endpoint in salivary gland degeneration, which develops in the salivary glands of patients with SjD, IgG4-RD, and radiation-induced damage. Though the deposition and remodeling of extracellular matrix proteins are essential to repair salivary gland damage, pathological fibrosis results in tissue hardening and chronic salivary gland dysfunction orchestrated by multiple cell types, including fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, endothelial cells, stromal cells, and lymphocytes, macrophages, and other immune cell populations. This review is focused on the role of TGF-β signaling in the development of salivary gland fibrosis and the potential for targeting TGF-β as a novel therapeutic approach to regenerate functional salivary glands. The studies presented highlight the divergent roles of TGF-β signaling in salivary gland development and dysfunction and illuminate specific cell populations in damaged or diseased salivary glands that mediate the effects of TGF-β. Overall, these studies strongly support the premise that blocking TGF-β signaling holds promise for the regeneration of functional salivary glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Muñoz Forti
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, United States
| | - Gary A. Weisman
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, United States
| | - Kimberly J. Jasmer
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, United States
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Bhat AA, Moglad E, Bansal P, Kaur H, Deorari M, Thapa R, Almalki WH, Kazmi I, Alzarea SI, Kukreti N, Ali H. Pollutants to pathogens: The role of heavy metals in modulating TGF-β signaling and lung cancer risk. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 256:155260. [PMID: 38493726 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the lungs due to the uncontrolled growth of aberrant cells. Heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, are metallic elements characterized by their high atomic weights and densities. Anthropogenic activities, such as industrial operations and pollution, have the potential to discharge heavy metals into the environment, hence presenting hazards to ecosystems and human well-being. The TGF-β signalling pathways have a crucial function in controlling several cellular processes, with the ability to both prevent and promote tumor growth. TGF-β regulates cellular responses by interacting in both canonical and non-canonical signalling pathways. Research employing both in vitro and in vivo models has shown that heavy metals may trigger TGF-β signalling via complex molecular pathways. Experiments conducted in a controlled laboratory environment show that heavy metals like cadmium and arsenic may directly bind to TGF-β receptors, leading to alterations in their structure that enable the receptor to be phosphorylated. Activation of this route sets in motion subsequent signalling cascades, most notably the canonical Smad pathway. The development of lung cancer has been linked to heavy metals, which are ubiquitous environmental pollutants. To grasp the underlying processes, it is necessary to comprehend their molecular effect on TGF-β pathways. With a particular emphasis on its consequences for lung cancer, this abstract delves into the complex connection between exposure to heavy metals and the stimulation of TGF-β signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asif Ahmad Bhat
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jagatpura, Mahal Road, Jaipur 302017, India
| | - Ehssan Moglad
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pooja Bansal
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560069, India; Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303012, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Shobhit University, Gangoh, Uttar Pradesh 247341, India; Department of Health & Allied Sciences, Arka Jain University, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand 831001, India
| | - Mahamedha Deorari
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Riya Thapa
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jagatpura, Mahal Road, Jaipur 302017, India
| | - Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sami I Alzarea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Aljouf 72341, Saudi Arabia
| | - Neelima Kukreti
- School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Haider Ali
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, India; Department of Pharmacology, Kyrgyz State Medical College, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
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Sivaccumar JP, Iaccarino E, Oliver A, Cantile M, Olimpieri P, Leonardi A, Ruvo M, Sandomenico A. Production in Bacteria and Characterization of Engineered Humanized Fab Fragment against the Nodal Protein. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1130. [PMID: 37631045 PMCID: PMC10459755 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug development in recent years is increasingly focused on developing personalized treatments based on blocking molecules selective for therapeutic targets specifically present in individual patients. In this perspective, the specificity of therapeutic targets and blocking agents plays a crucial role. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and their surrogates are increasingly used in this context thanks to their ability to bind therapeutic targets and to inhibit their activity or to transport bioactive molecules into the compartments in which the targets are expressed. Small antibody-like molecules, such as Fabs, are often used in certain clinical settings where small size and better tissue penetration are required. In the wake of this research trend, we developed a murine mAb (3D1) neutralizing the activity of Nodal, an oncofetal protein that is attracting an ever-increasing interest as a selective therapeutic target for several cancer types. Here, we report the preparation of a recombinant Fab of 3D1 that has been humanized through a computational approach starting from the sequence of the murine antibody. The Fab has been expressed in bacterial cells (1 mg/L bacterial culture), biochemically characterized in terms of stability and binding properties by circular dichroism and bio-layer interferometry techniques and tested in vitro on Nodal-positive cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jwala P. Sivaccumar
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
| | - Emanuela Iaccarino
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
| | - Angela Oliver
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
- Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Leonardi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples “Federico II”, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
| | - Annamaria Sandomenico
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
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Garcia de Vinuesa A, Sanchez-Duffhues G, Blaney-Davidson E, van Caam A, Lodder K, Ramos Y, Kloppenburg M, Meulenbelt I, van der Kraan P, Goumans MJ, Ten Dijke P. Cripto favors chondrocyte hypertrophy via TGF-β SMAD1/5 signaling during development of osteoarthritis. J Pathol 2021; 255:330-342. [PMID: 34357595 PMCID: PMC9292799 DOI: 10.1002/path.5774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Chondrocytes in mice developing osteoarthritis (OA) exhibit an aberrant response to the secreted cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β, consisting in a potentiation of intracellular signaling downstream of the transmembrane type I receptor kinase activin receptor‐like kinase (ALK)1 against canonical TGF‐β receptor ALK5‐mediated signaling. Unfortunately, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In order to identify novel druggable targets for OA, we aimed to investigate novel molecules regulating the ALK1/ALK5 balance in OA chondrocytes. We performed gene expression analysis of TGF‐β signaling modulators in joints from three different mouse models of OA and found an upregulated expression of the TGF‐β co‐receptor Cripto (Tdgf1), which was validated in murine and human cartilage OA samples at the protein level. In vitro and ex vivo, elevated expression of Cripto favors the hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes, eventually contributing to tissue calcification. Furthermore, we found that Cripto participates in a TGF‐β–ALK1–Cripto receptor complex in the plasma membrane, thereby inducing catabolic SMAD1/5 signaling in chondrocytes. In conclusion, we demonstrate that Cripto is expressed in OA and plays a functional role promoting chondrocyte hypertrophy, thereby becoming a novel potential therapeutic target in OA, for which there is no efficient cure or validated biomarker. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaya Garcia de Vinuesa
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Oncode Institute, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gonzalo Sanchez-Duffhues
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Esmeralda Blaney-Davidson
- Experimental Rheumatology & Advanced Therapeutics, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan van Caam
- Experimental Rheumatology & Advanced Therapeutics, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kirsten Lodder
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Yolande Ramos
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Margreet Kloppenburg
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid Meulenbelt
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter van der Kraan
- Experimental Rheumatology & Advanced Therapeutics, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marie-José Goumans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Oncode Institute, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Smad2/3 Activation Regulates Smad1/5/8 Signaling via a Negative Feedback Loop to Inhibit 3T3-L1 Adipogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168472. [PMID: 34445177 PMCID: PMC8395197 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissues (AT) expand in response to energy surplus through adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia. The latter, also known as adipogenesis, is a process by which multipotent precursors differentiate to form mature adipocytes. This process is directed by developmental cues that include members of the TGF-β family. Our goal here was to elucidate, using the 3T3-L1 adipogenesis model, how TGF-β family growth factors and inhibitors regulate adipocyte development. We show that ligands of the Activin and TGF-β families, several ligand traps, and the SMAD1/5/8 signaling inhibitor LDN-193189 profoundly suppressed 3T3-L1 adipogenesis. Strikingly, anti-adipogenic traps and ligands engaged the same mechanism of action involving the simultaneous activation of SMAD2/3 and inhibition of SMAD1/5/8 signaling. This effect was rescued by the SMAD2/3 signaling inhibitor SB-431542. By contrast, although LDN-193189 also suppressed SMAD1/5/8 signaling and adipogenesis, its effect could not be rescued by SB-431542. Collectively, these findings reveal the fundamental role of SMAD1/5/8 for 3T3-L1 adipogenesis, and potentially identify a negative feedback loop that links SMAD2/3 activation with SMAD1/5/8 inhibition in adipogenic precursors.
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Arboretto P, Cillo M, Leonardi A. New Insights into Cancer Targeted Therapy: Nodal and Cripto-1 as Attractive Candidates. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157838. [PMID: 34360603 PMCID: PMC8345935 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling is fundamental for correct embryonic development. However, alterations of this pathway have been correlated with oncogenesis, tumor progression and sustaining of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Cripto-1 (CR-1) and Nodal are two embryonic proteins involved in TGF-β signaling. Their expression is almost undetectable in terminally differentiated cells, but they are often re-expressed in tumor cells, especially in CSCs. Moreover, cancer cells that show high levels of CR-1 and/or Nodal display more aggressive phenotypes in vitro, while in vivo their expression correlates with a worse prognosis in several human cancers. The ability to target CSCs still represents an unmet medical need for the complete eradication of certain types of tumors. Given the prognostic role and the selective expression of CR-1 and Nodal on cancer cells, they represent archetypes for targeted therapy. The aim of this review is to clarify the role of CR-1 and Nodal in cancer stem populations and to summarize the current therapeutic strategy to target CSCs using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or other molecular tools to interfere with these two proteins.
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Lodberg A. Principles of the activin receptor signaling pathway and its inhibition. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2021; 60:1-17. [PMID: 33933900 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This review captures the anabolic and stimulatory effects observed with inhibition of the transforming growth factor β superfamily in muscle, blood, and bone. New medicinal substances that rectify activin, myostatin, and growth differentiation factor 11 signaling give hope to the many whose lives are affected by deterioration of these tissues. The review first covers the origin, structure, and common pathway of activins, myostatin, and growth differentiation factor 11 along with the pharmacodynamics of the new class of molecules designed to oppose the activin receptor signaling pathway. Current terminology surrounding this new class of molecules is inconsistent and does not infer functionality. Adopting inhibitors of the activin receptor signaling pathway (IASPs) as a generic term is proposed because it encapsulates the molecular mechanisms along the pathway trajectory. To conclude, a pragmatic classification of IASPs is presented that integrates functionality and side effects based on the data available from animals and humans. This provides researchers and clinicians with a tool to tailor IASPs therapy according to the need of projects or patients and with respect to side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Lodberg
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Wilhelm Meyers Allé, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Aykul S, Corpina RA, Goebel EJ, Cunanan CJ, Dimitriou A, Kim HJ, Zhang Q, Rafique A, Leidich R, Wang X, McClain J, Jimenez J, Nannuru KC, Rothman NJ, Lees-Shepard JB, Martinez-Hackert E, Murphy AJ, Thompson TB, Economides AN, Idone V. Activin A forms a non-signaling complex with ACVR1 and type II Activin/BMP receptors via its finger 2 tip loop. eLife 2020; 9:54582. [PMID: 32515349 PMCID: PMC7326492 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Activin A functions in BMP signaling in two ways: it either engages ACVR1B to activate Smad2/3 signaling or binds ACVR1 to form a non-signaling complex (NSC). Although the former property has been studied extensively, the roles of the NSC remain unexplored. The genetic disorder fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) provides a unique window into ACVR1/Activin A signaling because in that disease Activin can either signal through FOP-mutant ACVR1 or form NSCs with wild-type ACVR1. To explore the role of the NSC, we generated 'agonist-only' Activin A muteins that activate ACVR1B but cannot form the NSC with ACVR1. Using one of these muteins, we demonstrate that failure to form the NSC in FOP results in more severe disease pathology. These results provide the first evidence for a biological role for the NSC in vivo and pave the way for further exploration of the NSC's physiological role in corresponding knock-in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senem Aykul
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Qian Zhang
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, United States
| | | | | | - Xin Wang
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, United States
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Gudbergsson JM, Duroux M. An evaluation of different Cripto-1 antibodies and their variable results. J Cell Biochem 2019; 121:545-556. [PMID: 31310365 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cripto-1 is a protein expressed during embryonal development and has been linked to several malignant processes in cancer. Since the discovery of cripto-1 in the late 1980s, it has become a subject of biomarker investigation in several types of cancer which in many cases relies on immunolocalization of cripto-1 using antibodies. Investigating cripto-1 expression and localization in primary glioblastoma cells, we discovered nonspecific binding of cripto-1 antibody to the extracellular matrix Geltrex. A panel of four cripto-1 antibodies was investigated with respect to their binding to the Geltrex matrix and to the cripto-1 positive control cells NTERA2. The cripto-1 expression was varied for the different antibodies with respect to cellular localization and fixation methods. To further elaborate on these findings, we present a systematic review of cripto-1 antibodies found in the literature and highlight some possible cross reactants with data on sequence alignments and structural comparison of EGF domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Mar Gudbergsson
- Laboratory of Immunology and Cancer Biology, Institute of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Meg Duroux
- Laboratory of Immunology and Cancer Biology, Institute of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Hill CS. Spatial and temporal control of NODAL signaling. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2018; 51:50-57. [PMID: 29153705 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic development is orchestrated by the activity of signal transduction pathways, amongst which are those downstream of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family. Here I focus on signalling by one of these ligands, NODAL, which is essential for early embryonic axis patterning. I review recent advances in our understanding of how NODAL signalling is transduced from the plasma membrane to the nucleus to regulate the transcription of target genes, and how domains of NODAL activity are established and refined during embryonic development. The duration of signalling is emerging as a key determinant of the specificity of downstream responses in terms of cell fate decisions and I will discuss what is currently known about the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Hill
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK.
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