A component of the ARC/Mediator complex required for TGF beta/Nodal signalling.
The transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) family of cytokines, including Nodal, Activin and bone morphogenetic protein ( BMP), have essential roles in development and tumorigenesis. TGF beta molecules activate the Smad family of signal transducers, which form complexes with specific DNA-binding proteins to regulate gene expression. Two discrete Smad-dependent signalling pathways have been identified: TGF beta, Activin and Nodal signal via the Smad2 (or Smad3)-Smad4 complex, whereas BMP signals via the Smad1-Smad4 complex. How distinct Smad complexes regulate specific gene expression is not fully understood. Here we show that ARC105, a component of the activator-recruited co-factor (ARC) complex or the metazoan Mediator complex, is essential for TGF beta/Activin/Nodal/Smad2/3 signal transduction. Expression of ARC105 stimulates Activin/Nodal/Smad2 signalling in Xenopus laevis embryos, inducing axis duplication and mesendoderm differentiation, and enhances TGF beta response in human cells. Depletion of ARC105 inhibits TGF beta/Activin/Nodal/Smad2/3 signalling and Xenopus axis formation, but not BMP/Smad1 signalling. ARC105 protein binds to Smad2/3-Smad4 in response to TGF beta and is recruited to Activin/Nodal-responsive promoters in chromatin in a Smad2-dependent fashion. Thus ARC105 is a specific and key ARC/Mediator component linking TGF beta/Activin/Nodal/Smad2/3 signalling to transcriptional activation.[1]References
- A component of the ARC/Mediator complex required for TGF beta/Nodal signalling. Kato, Y., Habas, R., Katsuyama, Y., Näär, A.M., He, X. Nature (2002) [Pubmed]
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