TGF-β Signaling in Gastrointestinal Cancer Stem Cells

Title: TGF-β Signaling in Gastrointestinal Cancer Stem Cells

Volume: 4 Issue: 3

Author(s): Chohee Yun, Jonathan Mendelson, Young Woo Kim and Lopa Mishra

Affiliation:

Keywords: TGF-β, ELF, Smad4, gastrointestinal tract, cancer stem cells

Abstract: The TGF-β signaling pathway plays a significant role in various biological phenomena such as cell growth, embryogenesis, differentiation, morphogenesis and apoptosis. Gastrointestinal endodermal stem cells, influenced by TGF- β signals, undergo asymmetric cell division that leads to differentiation into tissue-specific functional cells such as hepatocytes and gut epithelial cells. Disruption of this process results in tissue-specific cancer development. This review illustrates the role of TGF-β signaling in normal and cancer stem cells. Through mouse studies targeting different members of this pathway, investigators will be able to better define mechanisms of malignant progression in order to develop and improve cancer therapeutics.

Cite this article as:

Yun Chohee, Mendelson Jonathan, Kim Woo Young and Mishra Lopa, TGF-β Signaling in Gastrointestinal Cancer Stem Cells, Current Cancer Therapy Reviews 2008; 4 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339408785294339