Figure 3.

TGFβ signalling pathway in breast cancer cells. The reception of the TGFβ signals by the TGFβ receptor type II allows the phosphorylation of the TGFβ receptor type I. Subsequently this favour the phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 proteins that can in turn interact with the protein SMAD4. This complex of proteins controls the expression of TGFβ target genes, affecting cellular processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and angiogenesis. The expression of the TGFβ’s genes is regulated by HOX transcriptional factors, as HOXB7 in breast cancer. After its transcription (nucleus) and translation (cytoplasm), TGFβ ligands are exported to the ECM, where they recognize and are recognized by TGFβ receptors type II.