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

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