FIGURE 1.

Schematic representation of the involvement of several TMEMs in tumor growth through the TGF-β signaling pathway. The activation of TGF-β signaling pathway has been implicated in many cellular processes and in tumor growth. This activation is induced by its ligand which then activates the phosphorylation of serine/threonine residues and triggers phosphorylation of the intracellular effectors, SMADs (blue). TGF-β receptors can also activate Smad-independent pathways (pink). In early stage TGF-β plays a tumor suppressor role whereas, in advanced stage, cancer cells benefit from TGF-β to initiate proliferation, invasion and metastasis dissemination. It seems that several TMEM proteins are involved in tumor growth through TGF-β activation in order to facilitate malignant progression and EMT progression. The stars represent the effectors deregulated by TMEMs.