MADS AND SMADS IN TGF-BETA SIGNALING

The discovery of the Mothers against dpp (Mad) gene in Drosophila has opened a window on an entirely unique signalling pathway that function s to mediate responses to the tumour growth factor beta (TGF beta) sup erfamily. This pathway, which is comprised of a family of proteins rel ated to Mad, acts to convey signals directly from TGF beta receptors t o the nucleus and is implicated in the pathogenesis of human diseases. (C) Current Biology Ltd ISSN 0955-0674.