High impact information on Smurf1

• Herein, we examined whether Smurf1 negatively regulates BMP signaling together with the I-Smads Smad6/7 [1].
• In addition, Smurf1 associates with transforming growth factor-beta type I receptor through the inhibitory Smad (I-Smad) Smad7 and induces their degradation [1].
• We conclude that in Xenopus embryos, the BMP pathway is a major physiological target of Smurf1, and we propose that in normal development Smurf1 cooperates with secreted BMP antagonists to limit BMP signaling in dorsal ectoderm [2].
• Smurf1 is enriched on the dorsal side of gastrula stage embryos, and blocking Smurf1 disturbs neural folding and neural, but not mesoderm differentiation, enhances BMP/Smad1 signaling, and elevates phospho-Smad1 levels in the dorsal ectoderm [2].
• Our data also reveal a novel role for Smurf1 and Smad1 in neural plate morphogenesis [2].

Biological context of Smurf1

• Smurf1 was initially implicated in BMP pathway regulation in embryonic development, but its potential role in vertebrate embryogenesis has yet to be clarified [2].

Other interactions of Smurf1

• Smurf1 and Smad6 cooperatively induced secondary axes in Xenopus embryos [1].

References