EGF-CFC proteins are essential coreceptors for the TGF-β signals Vg1 and GDF1

SK Cheng, F Olale, JT Bennett… - Genes & …, 2003 - genesdev.cshlp.org
SK Cheng, F Olale, JT Bennett, AH Brivanlou, AF Schier
Genes & development, 2003genesdev.cshlp.org
The TGF-β signals Nodal, Activin, GDF1, and Vg1 have been implicated in mesoderm
induction and left-right patterning. Nodal and Activin both activate Activin receptors, but only
Nodal requires EGF-CFC coreceptors for signaling. We report that Vg1 and GDF1 signaling
in zebrafish also depends on EGF-CFC proteins, but not on Nodal signals. Correspondingly,
we find that in Xenopus Vg1 and GDF1 bind to and signal through Activin receptors only in
the presence of EGF-CFC proteins. These results establish that multiple TGF-β signals …
The TGF-β signals Nodal, Activin, GDF1, and Vg1 have been implicated in mesoderm induction and left-right patterning. Nodal and Activin both activate Activin receptors, but only Nodal requires EGF-CFC coreceptors for signaling. We report that Vg1 and GDF1 signaling in zebrafish also depends on EGF-CFC proteins, but not on Nodal signals. Correspondingly, we find that in Xenopus Vg1 and GDF1 bind to and signal through Activin receptors only in the presence of EGF-CFC proteins. These results establish that multiple TGF-β signals converge on Activin receptor/EGF-CFC complexes and suggest a more widespread requirement for coreceptors in TGF-β signaling than anticipated previously.
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