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. 2005 Feb 8;386(Pt 1):29–34. doi: 10.1042/BJ20041820

Figure 4. The linker region is necessary for native Smad3 to mediate TGF-β transcriptional activation responses.

Figure 4

(A) Smad3 (NC) can be phosphorylated by the TGF-β receptor at the C-terminal tail, and has a significantly increased ability to form a heteromeric complex with Smad4. COS cells were co-transfected with Smad3 (NC) or Smad3 (Full Length), together with Smad4-HA and TβRI (T204D) for TGF-β induction. Cell lysates were analysed for Smad3 C-terminal tail phosphorylation and heteromeric complex formation with Smad4, as indicated. Expression levels of Smad3 (NC), Smad3 (Full Length) and Smad4-HA are also shown. (B) Smad3 (NC) is unable to mediate TGF-β transcriptional activation responses. HepG2 cells were co-transfected with 3TP-Lux, Smad7-Lux or A3-Lux plus FAST-1, together with the CS2 vector, Smad3 (Full Length) or Smad3 (NC), and then treated with or without TGF-β and analysed for luciferase activity.