Abstract 3035: Bone morphogenetic proteins signal through Smad2 and Smad3 to regulate cell migration and proliferation

The TGF-β superfamily consists of a large number of growth factors, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) that regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, invasion, migration and apoptosis. TGF-β activates the transcription factors Smad2/3, as well as Smad1/5/8, while BMP stimulation results in the activation of Smad1/5/8. Unexpectedly, we have demonstrated that BMP family members, including BMP2, 3, 4, 7, 9 and GDF5 can also induce Smad2/3 phosphorylation and downstream gene transcription in ovarian, pancreatic and breast cancer cell lines. BMP2-induced Smad2 phosphorylation can be attenuated by expression of dominant negative TβRII or shRNA-mediated knockdown of TβRII, while BMP2-induced Smad3 phosphorylation can be attenuated by expression of dominant negative BMPRII or shRNA-mediated knockdown of BMPRII, suggesting different mechanisms of BMP-mediated activation of Smad2 and Smad3. BMP2-induced Smad1, Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation increase cell invasion, migration and proliferation, respectively. BMP stimulated Smad2/3 phosphorylation suggests that BMP-mediated effects on cancer progression may be regulated, in part, through these novel signaling pathways. Current studies are focused on further elucidating the role of BMP-induced Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation on human cancer progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3035. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3035