ACVR1B (ALK4 activin receptor type 1B) gene mutations in pancreatic carcinoma

摘要

DPC4 is known to mediate signals initiated by type p transforming growth factor (TGFp) as well as by other TGFβ superfamily ligands such as activin and BMP (bone morphogenic proteins), but muta- tional surveys of such non-TGFβ receptors have been negative to date. Here we describe the gene structure and novel somatic mutations of the activin type l receptor, ACVR1B, in pancreatic cancer. ACVRfB has not been described previously as a mutated tumor-suppressor gene.