K Matsuzaki

Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Osaka-fu, Japan

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Publications (16)82.72 Total impact

  • Article: TGF-beta during human colorectal carcinogenesis: the shift from epithelial to mesenchymal signaling.
    K Matsuzaki, T Seki, K Okazaki
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    ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) activates not only TGF-beta type I receptor (Tbeta RI) but also c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), converting the mediator Smad3 to two distinct phosphoisoforms: C-terminally phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3C) and linker phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3L). While Tbeta RI/pSmad3C pathway inhibits growth of normal epithelial cells, the activated mesenchymal cells invade via JNK/pSmad3L pathway. During sporadic human colorectal carcinogenesis, TGF-beta signaling confers a selective advantage upon tumor cells by shifting from epithelial Tbeta RI/pSmad3C pathway to mesenchymal JNK/pSmad3L pathway. Loss of epithelial homeostasis and acquisition of a migratory, mesenchymal phenotype are essential for tumor invasion. In a future, specific inhibition of the JNK/pSmad3L pathway will become a therapy for human colorectal cancer that restores the lost tumor-suppressive function observed in normal colorectal epithelial cells at the expense of effects promoting the aggressive behavior.
    Inflammopharmacology 01/2007; 14(5-6):198-203.
  • Article: Regulatory mechanisms for transforming growth factor beta as an autocrine inhibitor in human hepatocellular carcinoma: implications for roles of smads in its growth.
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    ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) initiates signaling through heteromeric complexes of transmembrane type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors. Activated TGF-beta type I receptor phosphorylates receptor-regulated Smads (2 and 3). Antagonistic Smad 7 forms stable association with the activated TGF-beta type I receptor, blocking phosphorylation of receptor-regulated Smads. On the other hand, elevated serum concentration of TGF-beta along with resistance to its growth-inhibitory effect is commonly observed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of resistance to tumor-derived TGF-beta in human HCC and hepatoblastoma-derived cell lines, focusing on the roles of receptor-regulated Smads and antagonistic Smad 7. HuH-7 and HepG2 cells showed poor response to TGF-beta-mediated growth inhibition. Because neutralization of TGF-beta in the medium or blockage of signal transduction pathway by inductions of dominant negative Smad 2/3 resulted in a stimulation of cell growth, tumor-derived TGF-beta signal acts on cell growth negatively. However, Smad 7 induced by TGF-beta negatively regulated Smad 2 action and rendered most Smad 2 proteins in the cytoplasm. Taken together, these results indicate that endogenous TGF-beta-mediated induction of Smad 7 results in a higher "threshold" for the antiproliferative signals mediated by receptor-regulated Smads, and can be involved in reduced responsiveness to the cytokine in some human HCC cells.
    Hepatology 09/2000; 32(2):218-27. · 11.66 Impact Factor
  • Article: Modulation of transforming growth factor beta function in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells in rat liver injury.
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    ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) regulates hepatocyte proliferation and biosynthesis of the extracellular matrix. This study investigated alternations in sensitivity to TGF-beta1 and binding properties for ligand in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSC) after CCl(4) administration. Plasma TGF-beta1 levels in rats after CCl(4) administration were determined using ELISA. Effects of TGF-beta1 were examined by DNA synthesis in hepatocytes and by measurement of fibronectin production in HSC after CCl(4) administration. Binding of (125)I TGF-beta1 was tested in these cells. Plasma TGF-beta1 levels were increased as early as 24 hours and were maximal by 48 hours. The antiproliferative response to TGF-beta1 decreased in hepatocytes at 48 hours and normalised at 72 hours. Fibronectin production of both normal and injured HSC was affected by TGF-beta1 treatment. Cross linked ligand/receptor complexes were detected in normal hepatocytes and HSC. However, these levels decreased specifically in hepatocytes at 48 hours and normalised by 72 hours. Downregulation of TGF-beta receptor occurred in hepatocytes after chemical insult and TGF-beta1 could not transduce its antiproliferative signal. Recovery of TGF-beta receptor expression causes the signal to transduce to the nucleus at 72 hours. In HSC, whenever TGF-beta1 is increased, TGF-beta1 can transduce its signal for fibronectin production via its receptor because signalling receptors are expressed constantly.
    Gut 06/2000; 46(5):719-24. · 10.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Autocrine stimulatory mechanism by transforming growth factor beta in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: The serum concentration of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is elevated as tumors progress in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. In this study, we examined whether modulation of tumor-derived TGF-beta signal transduction contributes to malignant progression. We investigated the production of TGF-beta1, the biological effects of TGF-beta and neutralizing antibody on HCC cells, activation of Smad 2, Smad 3, and Smad 4, induction of antagonistic Smads (Smad 6 and Smad 7), and promoter activities of two target genes, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and p15INK4B. In human cell lines HCC-M and HCC-T, TGF-beta accelerates their proliferation. Smad 2 was activated constitutively by an autocrine mechanism, because in the absence of exogenous TGF-beta, a high level of Smad 2 phosphorylation, induction of PAI-1 transcripts, and nuclear localization of Smad 2 were observed. This constitutive activation of Smad 2 was, at least in part, attributable to the lack of induction of antagonistic Smads by TGF-beta. However, Smads activated by tumor-derived TGF-beta constantly suppressed p151NK4B expression. In addition, 3 of 10 human HCC tissues showed nuclear localization of Smad 2 and low mRNA levels of p15INK4B and antagonistic Smads but a high level of PAI-1. Our observations suggest that this constant suppression of the p15INK4B gene could be involved in the malignant progression of HCC.
    Cancer Research 04/2000; 60(5):1394-402. · 7.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: Differential regulation of activin A for hepatocyte growth and fibronectin synthesis in rat liver injury.
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    ABSTRACT: Both hepatocyte growth and production of extracellular matrix such as fibronectin are essential for liver regeneration. Although activin A is reported to inhibit DNA replication in rat hepatocytes, the role of activin A for liver regeneration after acute injury has not been fully assessed. This study investigated the mechanism by which hepatocyte growth is regulated by activin A during liver regeneration and the effects of activin A on extracellular matrix production. The mRNA for betaA subunit of activin A and activin receptors in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells after CCl4 administration were studied by Northern blotting. Binding of 125I-activin A was tested in these cells. Effects of activin A were examined by DNA, collagen and fibronectin synthesis. betaA mRNA was expressed in quiescent hepatocytes, and this expression peaked 12 h after CCl4 administration. Activin receptor mRNAs and cross-linked ligand/receptor complexes were expressed in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells However, these levels decreased specifically in hepatocytes at 24 h and had normalized by 72 h. The down-regulation of activin receptor was also observed after partial hepatectomy. Antiproliferative response to activin A decreased in hepatocytes at 24 h. Activin A stimulated production of fibronectin by hepatic stellate cells, but the synthesis of collagen was only slightly elevated in hepatic stellate cells following activin stimulation. The down-regulation of activin receptors in hepatocytes may be partly responsible for these cells becoming responsive to mitogenic stimuli. The increase of activin A at the early stage of liver injury has the potential to contribute to the regulation of fibronectin production in hepatic stellate cells.
    Journal of Hepatology 03/2000; 32(2):251-60. · 9.26 Impact Factor
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    Article: Down-regulation of TGF-beta receptors in human colorectal cancer: implications for cancer development.
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    ABSTRACT: Many colorectal cancer cells are resistant to the anti-proliferative effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). TGF-beta also acts as paracrine factor from cancer cells on their mesenchymal cells. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of TGF-beta and its receptors in human colorectal cancer tissue and determine any relationship with cancer growth. In situ hybridization and Northern blot hybridization detection of TGF-beta1, type I and type II receptor mRNA and immunohistochemical staining of TGF-beta1 were performed using 11 human colorectal adenomas, 22 colorectal cancers and ten normal colorectal mucosas as control. TGF-beta receptor mRNAs were expressed mainly by normal colorectal epithelial cells and adenoma. However, mRNAs for TGF-beta receptors were only faintly, if at all, expressed in eight of 22 human colorectal cancers. In addition, intense signals of TGF-beta1 mRNA and the protein were detected in all colorectal cancers. TGF-beta receptor mRNAs and TGF-beta1 protein were also distributed in fibroblasts and endothelial cells in the interstitium. Moreover, Smad 4 protein was translocated to nucleus in primarily cultured adenoma cells, but not in cancer cells after TGF-beta stimulation. The escape of human colon cancer from TGF-beta-mediated growth inhibition by down-regulation of TGF-beta receptors as well as the effects of TGF-beta on stroma formation and angiogenesis indicate a possible role for TGF-beta in the progression of colon cancer in an intact host.
    British Journal of Cancer 05/1999; 80(1-2):194-205. · 5.04 Impact Factor
  • Article: Clinicopathologic significance of protein induced vitamin K absence or antagonist II and alpha-fetoprotein in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Protein induced vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) have been considered useful serum markers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we examined the clinicopathologic significance of these tumour markers in patients with HCCs by measuring their serum levels and performing immunohistochemistry. We studied 349 Japanese patients with HCCs. Their serum PIVKA-II and AFP levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay before treatment. We examined the correlations between serum PIVKA-II and AFP levels and tumour size, presence of satellite nodules, histologic HCC grade, and concomitant liver diseases and subjected tumour tissues to immunohistochemical staining to detect PIVKA-II and AFP expression. The serum PIVKA-II levels of patients with poorly differentiated HCCs were significantly higher than those of patients with well and moderately differentiated HCCs (p<0.05) and they were higher in HCC patients with than without satellite nodules. The serum AFP levels were influenced significantly by concomitant liver diseases, but not by the other factors. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the PIVKA-II expression levels of poorly differentiated HCCs were higher than those of well and moderately differentiated HCCs (p<0.05). Some HCC cells were PIVKA-II-positive, others were AFP-positive, and some expressed both. The serum PIVKA-II concentration was a better indicator of HCC than AFP, as it was not influenced by concomitant liver diseases. The presence of PIVKA-II in serum correlated with the presence of satellite nodules and the histologic HCC grade, a result concordant with the immunohistochemical findings.
    International Journal of Oncology 03/1999; 14(2):281-6. · 2.40 Impact Factor
  • Article: Differential expression of transforming growth factor-beta and its receptors in hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells of rat liver after CCl4 administration.
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    ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a family of multifunctional proteins that regulate hepatocyte proliferation, and biosynthesis of the extracellular matrix. In this study we examined whether modulation of TGF-beta receptor expression contributes to the liver diseases. The mRNA expression of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta type I receptor (TGFbetaRI), TGF-beta type II receptor (TGFbetaRII) and TGF-beta type III receptor (TGFbetaRIII) in rat livers injured by CCl4 administration was studied by Northern blotting. The mRNA expression patterns were confirmed by in situ hybridization. The peak of TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was observed 48 h after acute intoxication with CCl4 in nonparenchymal cells. However, the levels of TGFbetaRI and TGFbetaRII mRNA expression decreased from 24 h to 48 h and from 12 h to 48 h, respectively, and returned to the normal level by 72 h. TGFbetaRII mRNA expression was depressed more and for longer than that of TGFbetaRI mRNA. Analysis in separated hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells from the injured livers indicated that the mRNA changes occurred in hepatocytes. Nonparenchymal cells expressed TGFbetaRI and TGFbetaRII mRNAs at constant levels during liver regeneration. TGFbetaRIII mRNA, which also decreased after 12 h, was not apparent in hepatocytes but only in nonparenchymal cells. These observations suggest that: (i) whenever TGF-beta1 is increased in CCl4-treated livers, it may induce liver fibrogenesis via nonparenchymal cells; (ii) the mitoinhibitory effect of TGF-beta1 on hepatocytes is transiently relieved by down-regulation of TGF-beta receptors for 72 h post-damage; and (iii) the resistance to TGF-beta growth inhibition between 24 to 48 h may be predominantly due to down-regulation of the expression of TGFbetaRII.
    Journal of Hepatology 05/1998; 28(4):572-81. · 9.26 Impact Factor
  • Article: Ligand-dependent and -independent interactions with the transforming growth factor type II and I receptor subunits reside in the aminoterminal portion of the ectodomain of the type III subunit.
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    ABSTRACT: The type III receptor for transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), which exhibits no kinase activity, binds TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2 and is involved in assembly and activity of the multi-subunit TGFbeta signal transduction complex. Recently we showed that TGFbeta receptor type III (TbetaRIII) can participate in a complex composed of the dimeric TGFbeta ligand and a type III, II, and I receptor subunit. The interaction of the TbetaRIII subunit with TbetaRII is TGFbeta-dependent, whereas interaction with TbetaRI is TGFbeta-independent. Here we use coexpression of the three types of TGFbeta receptors in baculoviral-infected insect cells to determine which parts of the unglycosylated TbetaRIII receptor participate in the binding of TGFbeta, the TGFbeta-dependent interaction with TbetaRII and the TGFbeta-independent interaction with TbetaRI. The results suggest that the first 500 amino acid residues in the aminoterminal portion of TbetaRIII exhibit all three properties.
    In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal 04/1998; 34(3):232-8. · 1.31 Impact Factor
  • Article: Immunolocalization of transforming growth factor beta during wound repair in rat retina after laser photocoagulation.
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    ABSTRACT: Scatter photocoagulation induces regression of retinal neovascularization, but the mechanism of its therapeutic effect is incompletely understood. To elucidate the mechanism of therapeutic effect of photocoagulation is the main focus of our research. We have already demonstrated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) immunolocalization during retinal wound repair following laser photocoagulation. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) reportedly inhibits endothelial cell growth and bFGF-induced cell proliferation in vitro. In the present study, we evaluated the immunohistochemical localization of TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 during wound repair in the rat retina following laser photocoagulation. Krypton laser photocoagulation was performed on the eyes of pigmented rats. The eyes were then enucleated on day 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 or 56 following the photocoagulation and enrolled into the analysis of immunohistochemical localization of TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2. Immunoreactivity for TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 was present in the ganglion cell layer and photoreceptor outer segments of the normal adult rat retina. The cytoplasm of RPE cells at the photocoagulated lesion showed intense TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 immunoreactivity on day 3 after laser photocoagulation. Macrophages that migrated into the lesion lacked positive staining for TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2. TGF-beta immunoreactivity in RPE cells continued to be upregulated for more than 1 month compared with that in normal RPE cells. Controls did not exhibit any positive staining. An elevated expression of TGF-beta immunoreactivity for a longer period of time than bFGF was observed in RPE cells at the photocoagulated lesion in vivo. In the late phase of retinal wound repair, TGF-beta may inhibit cell proliferation induced by mitogens, introduce an end stage of cellular events, and induce extracellular matrix induction.
    Albrecht von Graæes Archiv für Ophthalmologie 02/1998; 236(1):41-6. · 2.17 Impact Factor
  • Article: Immunolocalization of basic fibroblast growth factor during wound repair in rat retina after laser photocoagulation.
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    ABSTRACT: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulates the mitogenesis of various cells and plays a key role in wound repair. We studied the immunohistochemical localization of bFGF during wound repair in the rat retina after laser photocoagulation. Krypton laser photocoagulation was performed on the eyes of pigmented rats. The eyes were enucleated on days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 after the photocoagulation, and the immunohistochemical localization of bFGF was assessed. Two different monoclonal antibodies and one polyclonal antibody against bFGF as first antibodies were used. Marked immunoreactivity for bFGF was found in the ganglion cell layer, and weak immunoreactivity for bFGF was found in the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells of the normal adult rat retina. On day 3 after laser photocoagulation, the nuclei and cytoplasm of proliferating RPE cells at the center of the photocoagulated lesion showed intense bFGF immunoreactivity. The nuclei of RPE cells around the lesion showed intense bFGF immunoreactivity. Macrophages that migrated into the lesion showed positive staining for bFGF. These immunoreactivity decreased with time. Controls (0.05 M Tris-HCl buffer, normal serum, or these same antibodies preabsorbed with bFGF) did not show positive staining. The finding of an elevated expression of bFGF immunoreactivity in the photocoagulated lesion suggests that bFGF may play a role in wound repair in the rat retina after laser photocoagulation.
    Albrecht von Graæes Archiv für Ophthalmologie 12/1996; 234(11):695-702. · 2.17 Impact Factor
  • Article: Reconstitution of a pentameric complex of dimeric transforming growth factor beta ligand and a type I, II, III receptor in baculoviral-infected insect cells.
    K Matsuzaki, M Kan, W L McKeehan
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    ABSTRACT: Two transmembrane serine-threonine kinases (type I and II receptors), a membrane-anchored proteoglycan (type III), and a homodimeric ligand participate in the transforming growth factor beta type one (TGF beta 1) signal transduction complex. The expression of recombinant receptors in insect cells co-infected with up to three recombinant baculoviruses was employed to study interactions among the ectodomains of the three types of receptors and the TGF beta 1 ligand in absence of uncontrollable extrinsic factors in mammalian cells. Multi-subunit complexes were assembled in intact cells and purified on glutathione-conjugated beads for analysis by tagging one of the subunits with glutathione S-transferase (GST). Intrinsic ligand-independent interactions were observed among receptor subunits as follows: type III-III, type I-I, type III-I, and type II-I. The homeotypic complex of type II-II receptors and the heterotypic type III-II interaction was ligand dependent. The type I, but not the type III, subunit displaced about 50% of the type II component in either ligand-dependent homomeric type II-type II complexes or heteromeric type III-type II complexes to form type II-I or type III-II-I oligomers, respectively. The type II subunit displaced type I subunits in oligomers of the type I subunit. Specificity of type I receptors may result from differential affinity for the type II receptor rather than specificity for ligand. A monomeric subunit of the TGF beta 1 ligand bound concurrently to type III and type II or type III and type I receptors, but failed to concurrently bind to the type II and type I subunits. The binding of TGF beta 1 to the type I kinase subunit appears to require an intact disulfide-linked ligand dimer in the absence of a type III subunit. The combined results suggest a pentameric TGF beta signal transduction complex in which one unit each of the type III, type II, and type I components is assembled around the two subunits of the dimeric TGF beta ligand. An immobilized GST-tagged subunit of the receptor complex was utilized to assemble multi-subunit complexes in vitro and to study the phosphorylation events among subunits in the absence of extrinsic cell-derived kinases. The results revealed that (a) a low level of ligand-independent autophosphorylation occurs in the type I kinase; (b) a high level of autophosphorylation occurs in the type II kinase; (c) both the type III and type I subunits are trans-phosphorylated by the type II subunit; and (d) the presence of both type I and II kinases complexed with the type III subunit and dimeric TGF beta 1 ligand in a pentameric complex causes maximum phosphorylation of all three receptor subunits.
    In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal 07/1996; 32(6):345-60. · 1.31 Impact Factor
  • Article: Gene expressions of basic fibroblast growth factor and its receptor in healing of rat retina after laser photocoagulation.
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    ABSTRACT: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulates the mitogenesis of various cells and plays a key role in wound repair. Using in situ hybridization, we studied mRNA expressions of bFGF and one of its receptors, FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1), during wound repair of the rat retina after laser photocoagulation. Gene expressions of bFGF and FGFR1 were detected in the ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers of the normal adult rat retina. On day 3 following laser photocoagulation, proliferating retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells of the lesion showed intense gene expressions of bFGF and FGFR1. Macrophage-like cells that migrated into the lesion also showed gene expression of bFGF. These gene expressions decreased over time. The finding of elevated gene expressions of bFGF and FGFR1 after laser photocoagulation suggests the bFGF may be a factor in retinal wound repair.
    Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology 02/1996; 40(4):480-90. · 0.92 Impact Factor
  • Article: Inhibin antagonizes inhibition of liver cell growth by activin by a dominant-negative mechanism.
    J Xu, K McKeehan, K Matsuzaki, W L McKeehan
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    ABSTRACT: The beta:beta activin homodimer and alpha:beta inhibin heterodimer are mutual antagonists which share a common beta subunit. Recently, it has been shown that, similar to transforming growth factor-beta 1, activin is an inhibitor of hepatocyte DNA synthesis. The activin receptor appears to be an obligatory complex of genetically distinct type I and II transmembrane serine/threonine kinases. Activin type I receptors, SKR1 and SKR2, were first cloned from well differentiated human hepatoma cells (HepG2). This prompted us to investigate the binding of activin and inhibin to receptors from HepG2 cells and the effect of the two ligands on DNA synthesis. Here we show that beta:beta activin binds to the activin type II receptor kinase (ActRII) which induces activin binding to the type I receptor kinase SKR2 to form ActRII.beta:beta.SKR2 complexes in which an activin beta chain occupies each receptor subunit. Inhibin also binds to ActRII through its beta subunit, competes with the binding of activin to ActRII, but fails to form the ActRII.SKR2 complex. No specific binding site for inhibin could be demonstrated in HepG2 cells. Inhibin, which had no activity of its own, antagonized the inhibitory effect of activin on DNA synthesis. The results suggest that inhibin may be a natural antagonist of assembly of the heterodimeric activin receptor complex through a dominant-negative mechanism.
    Journal of Biological Chemistry 04/1995; 270(11):6308-13. · 4.77 Impact Factor
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    Article: Genomic structure and cloned cDNAs predict that four variants in the kinase domain of serine/threonine kinase receptors arise by alternative splicing and poly(A) addition.
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    ABSTRACT: Heterodimers of types I and II serine/threonine kinase receptor monomers compose the active receptor complex for ligands of the transforming growth factor beta family. Here we show that the genomic organization of coding sequences for the intracellular domain of a widely expressed type I serine/threonine kinase receptor is similar to that of the activin type II receptor gene. The genomic structure and cDNA clones indicate that poly(A) addition to alternative exons at each of three carboxyl-terminal coding exon-intron junctions may be a common feature of both type I and II receptor genes. The predicted products are monomers truncated at kinase subdomains VII, IX, and X which vary in kinase activity and potential serine, threonine, and tyrosine phosphorylation sites. These results suggest that combinations of variants that affect the signal-transducing intracellular kinase domain of both type I and II receptor monomers within the transforming growth factor beta ligand family may add to the heterogeneity of biological effects of individual ligands in the family.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 09/1994; 91(17):7957-61. · 9.68 Impact Factor
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    Article: A widely expressed transmembrane serine/threonine kinase that does not bind activin, inhibin, transforming growth factor beta, or bone morphogenic factor.
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    ABSTRACT: Molecular cloning of complementary DNAs (cDNA) whose expression products bind activin and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2) suggests that transmembrane serine/threonine kinases constitute a new class of signaling molecules. A human liver cell cDNA which codes for a new serine/threonine kinase receptor (SKR1) was identified using degenerate oligonucleotide primers complementary to coding sequence for mouse activin and Caenorhabditis elegans daf-1 serine/threonine receptor kinase subdomains VI and VIII in the polymerase chain reaction. The deduced 509-amino acid product consisted of a cysteine-rich extracellular domain and a cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinase domain which are 10-20 and 40% homologous to the respective domains in the activin and transforming growth factor beta receptor kinases. Cells overexpressing SKR1 exhibited no increase in binding of activin, inhibin, TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, or bone morphogenic factor type 2B. Except for its absence in bone and spleen, SKR1 exhibits a tissue expression pattern similar to the TGF-beta receptor II gene. Similarly, SKR1 is expressed in normal parenchymal cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and tumor-derived epithelial cells. The expression pattern and lack of binding to prototypic members of the TGF-beta 1-5 branch of the TGF-beta superfamily suggests that SKR1 is potentially a receptor for a new member of the TGF-beta branch of the ligand superfamily.
    Journal of Biological Chemistry 07/1993; 268(17):12719-23. · 4.77 Impact Factor