SMAD7 belongs to the SMAD family of proteins, which belong to the TGFβ superfamily of ligands. Like many other TGFβ family members, SMAD7 is involved in cell signalling. It interacts with activated TGF-β type I receptor therefore block the association, phosphorylation and activation of Smad2.While Smad7 is induced by TGF-β, it is also induced by other stimuli, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Therefore, it provides a cross-talk between TGF-β signaling and other cellular signaling pathways.
