Reactome | Signaling by Activin

Signaling by Activin

Stable Identifier

R-HSA-1502540

DOI

10.3180/REACT_150238.1

Type

Pathway

Species

Homo sapiens

Compartment

cytosol, extracellular region, plasma membrane

ReviewStatus

5/5

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Activin was initially discovered as an activator of follicle stimulating hormone in the pituitary gland. It has since been shown to be an important participant in the differentiation of embryonic cells into mesodermal and endodermal layers. Activin binds the Activin receptor and triggers downstream events: phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3 followed by activation of gene expression (reviewed in Attisano et al. 1996, Willis et al. 1996, Chen et al. 2006, Hinck 2012). Activins are dimers comprising activin A (INHBA:INHBA), activin AB (INHBA:INHBB), and activin B (INHBB:INHBB). Activin first binds the type II receptor (ACVR2A, ACVR2B) and this complex then interacts with the type I receptor (ACVR1B, ACVR1C) (Attisano et al. 1996). The type II receptor phosphorylates the type I receptor and then the phosphorylated type I receptor phosphorylates SMAD2 and SMAD3. Dimers of phosphorylated SMAD2/3 bind SMAD4 and the resulting ternary complex enters the nucleus and activates target genes.

Literature References

PubMed ID	Title	Journal	Year
22651914	Structural studies of the TGF-?s and their receptors - insights into evolution of the TGF-? superfamily Hinck, AP	FEBS Lett.	2012
8721982	Formation and activation by phosphorylation of activin receptor complexes Willis, SA, Mathews, LS, Zimmerman, CM, Li, LI	Mol Endocrinol	1996
16636301	Activin signaling and its role in regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis Chuang, J, Chang, CD, Chung, J, Wang, Q, Chen, YG, Lin, SL, Ying, SY	Exp. Biol. Med. (Maywood)	2006
8622651	Activation of signalling by the activin receptor complex Massague, J, Wrana, JL, Attisano, L, Montalvo, E	Mol Cell Biol	1996