Abstract
The critical role of TGF g in development and growth control is well established but the signalling pathway has only recently been elucidated. Identification of the Smads as TGF g 's intracellular signalling mediators has led to an explosion of information on a novel signalling network that links the cell surface to the nucleus. Many cancers develop resistance to the growth-inhibitory effects of TGF g and mutations in signalling pathway components have been discovered that may underly tumour progression.
