Mothers against decapentaplegic
Encyclopedia
Mothers against decapentaplegic
is a protein from the SMAD family
that was discovered in Drosophila
.
The SMAD proteins are homologs of both the Drosophila protein "mothers against decapentaplegic" (MAD) and the C. elegans protein SMA. The name is a combination of the two. During Drosophila research, it was found that a mutation in the gene MAD in the mother repressed the gene decapentaplegic in the embryo. The phrase "Mothers against" was added as a humorous approach since mothers often form organizations opposing various issues e.g. Mothers Against Drunk Driving
(MADD).
Several human homologues are known:
Decapentaplegic
Decapentaplegic is a key morphogen involved in the development of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. It is known to be necessary for the correct patterning of the fifteen imaginal discs, which are tissues that will become limbs and other organs and structures in the adult fly. It has also been...
is a protein from the SMAD family
SMAD (protein)
SMADs are intracellular proteins that transduce extracellular signals from transforming growth factor beta ligands to the nucleus where they activate downstream TGF-β gene transcription....
that was discovered in Drosophila
Drosophila
Drosophila is a genus of small flies, belonging to the family Drosophilidae, whose members are often called "fruit flies" or more appropriately pomace flies, vinegar flies, or wine flies, a reference to the characteristic of many species to linger around overripe or rotting fruit...
.
The SMAD proteins are homologs of both the Drosophila protein "mothers against decapentaplegic" (MAD) and the C. elegans protein SMA. The name is a combination of the two. During Drosophila research, it was found that a mutation in the gene MAD in the mother repressed the gene decapentaplegic in the embryo. The phrase "Mothers against" was added as a humorous approach since mothers often form organizations opposing various issues e.g. Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a non-profit organization in the United States that seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and overall push for stricter alcohol policy...
(MADD).
Several human homologues are known:
- Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 1Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 1Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 1 also known as SMAD family member 1 or SMAD1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SMAD1 gene.-Nomenclature:...
- Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 also known as SMAD family member 2 or SMAD2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SMAD2 gene. MAD homolog 2 belongs to the SMAD, a family of proteins similar to the gene products of the Drosophila gene 'mothers against decapentaplegic' and the C....
- Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 also known as SMAD family member 3 or SMAD3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SMAD3 gene. SMAD3 is a member of the SMAD family of proteins.The human SMAD3 gene is located on chromosome 15...
- Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4SMAD family member 4, also known as SMAD4, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SMAD4 gene.SMAD4 is a 552-amino acid protein involved in cell signaling. It belongs to the Darfwin family of proteins that modulate members of the TGFβ protein superfamily...
- Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 5Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 5Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 5 also known as SMAD5 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SAMD5 gene.SMAD5, as its name describes, is a homolog of the Drosophila gene: "Mothers against decapentaplegic". It belongs to the SMAD family of proteins, which belong to the TGFβ...
- Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 6Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 6SMAD family member 6, also known as SMAD6, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SMAD6 gene.SMAD6 is a protein that, as its name describes, is a homolog of the Drosophila gene "mothers against decapentaplegic". It belongs to the SMAD family of proteins, which belong to the TGFβ superfamily...
- Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 or SMAD7 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SMAD7 gene.SMAD7 is a protein that, as its name describes, is a homolog of the Drosophila gene: "Mothers against decapentaplegic". It belongs to the SMAD family of proteins, which belong to the TGFβ...
- Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 9Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 9Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 9 also known as SMAD9, SMAD8, and MADH6 is a protein that in humans is enocoded by the SMAD9 gene....