Open AccessInternalization-Dependent and -Independent Requirements for Transforming Growth Factor β Receptor Signaling via the Smad Pathway
Author(s) -
Sumedha G. Penheiter,
Hugh Mitchell,
Nandor Garamszegi,
Maryanne Edens,
Jules J.E. Doré,
Edward B. Leof
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
molecular and cellular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.14
H-Index - 327
eISSN - 1067-8824
pISSN - 0270-7306
DOI - 10.1128/mcb.22.13.4750-4759.2002
Subject(s) - biology , microbiology and biotechnology , smad , endocytic cycle , smad2 protein , internalization , phosphorylation , signal transduction , signal transducing adaptor protein , receptor , endocytosis , biochemistry
Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) family of proteins signal through cell surface transmembrane serine/threonine protein kinases known as type I and type II receptors. The TGF-beta signal is extended through phosphorylation of receptor-associated Smad proteins by the type I receptor. Although numerous investigations have established the sequence of events in TGF-beta receptor (TGF-beta R) activation, none have examined the role of the endocytic pathway in initiation and/or maintenance of the signaling response. In this study we investigated whether TGF-beta R internalization modulates type I receptor activation, the formation of a functional receptor/Smad/SARA complex, Smad2/3 phosphorylation or nuclear translocation, and TGF-beta-dependent reporter gene activity. Our data provide evidence that, whereas type I receptor phosphorylation and association of SARA and Smad2 with the TGF-beta R complex take place independently of clathrin lattice formation, Smad2 or Smad3 activation and downstream signaling only occur after endocytic vesicle formation. Thus, TGF-beta R endocytosis is not simply a way to dampen the signaling response but instead is required to propagate signaling via the Smad pathway.