The Interplay Between TGF-β Signaling and Cell Metabolism

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling plays a critical role in the development and tissue homeostasis in metazoans, and deregulation of TGF-beta signaling leads to many pathological conditions. Mounting evidence suggests that TGF-beta signaling can actively alter metabolism in diverse cell types. Furthermore, metabolic pathways, beyond simply regarded as biochemical reactions, are closely intertwined with signal transduction. Here, we discuss the role of TGF-beta in glucose, lipid, amino acid, redox and polyamine metabolism with an emphasis on how TGF-beta can act as a metabolic modulator and how metabolic changes can influence TGF-beta signaling. We also describe how interplay between TGF-beta signaling and cell metabolism regulates cellular homeostasis as well as the progression of multiple diseases, including cancer.

Automated summary

TGF-beta signaling plays a critical role in metabolism and is closely related to the progression of various diseases.