Some of the TGF-β family of growth factors are responsible for contractility in vascular smooth muscle cells. This paper demonstrates that in response to ligand, TGF-β and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) promote the processing of a microRNA, miR-21, which regulates several genes involved in contractility. This occurs through a direct interaction of TGF-β and BMP with the DROSHA miRNA processing complex.
- Brandi N. Davis
- Aaron C. Hilyard
- Akiko Hata