Transfection of the type I TGF-beta receptor restores TGF-beta responsiveness in pancreatic cancer

Int J Cancer. 1998 Oct 5;78(2):255-60. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19981005)78:2<255::aid-ijc21>3.0.co;2-8.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling is initiated following heterodimerization of the type II TGF-beta receptor (TbetaRII) with the type I TGF-beta receptor (TbetaRI). Both receptors are required for TGF-beta responsiveness. In the present study, we characterized the actions of TGF-beta1 in T3M4 human pancreatic cancer cells, which express low levels of TbetaRI and high levels of TbetaRII. Cells were transiently transfected with p3TP-Lux, a TGF-beta-responsive luciferase reporter gene construct. TGF-beta1 was without effect in parental T3M4 cells, but caused a time- and dose-dependent increase in luciferase activity in T3M4 cells co-transfected with a TbetaRI cDNA expression vector. Co-transfection of TbetaRI with a truncated Smad4 cDNA that is known to block TGF-beta-dependent signaling, abrogated the TbetaRI-induced increase in luciferase activity. Sequencing of the TbetaRI and the Smad4 genes in T3M4 cells did not reveal any mutations. These findings indicate that one mechanism for TGF-beta resistance in pancreatic cancer is due to a quantitative decrease in TbetaRI expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Activin Receptors, Type I*
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Mutation
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / biosynthesis
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Smad4 Protein
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Transfection
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • SMAD4 protein, human
  • Smad4 Protein
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Activin Receptors, Type I
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II