| Abstract: | Loss of sensitivity to the negative growth regulator transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a feature of many different tumor types and is likely involved in tumor progression. In some cases this loss of sensitivity to TGFβ has been shown to be manifest in the absence of membrane-associated TGFβ receptor complexes, thus preventing initiation of antiproliferative signals from the cell surface. In others, loss of sensitivity to TGFβ-induced inhibitory signals has been attributed to loss of function of intracellular effectors of TGFβ-induced inhibitory signals due to mutation or allelic loss of effector genes and their products. The intracellular effectors of TGFβ inhibitory signals have been shown to be involved in the normal regulation of progression through the cell cycle, specifically during G1 phase. In this manner, elucidation of the mechanisms by which TGFβ inhibits cell growth not only helps us identify steps involved in tumor progression, but also allows us to better understand how cells regulate progression through the cell cycle. J. Cell. Biochem. 66:427–432, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
