Echinococcus multilocularis: Molecular characterization of EmSmadE, a novel BR-Smad involved in TGF-β and BMP signaling

► A novel member of the BR-Smad family, EmSmadE, of Echinococcus multilocularis has been cloned and characterized. ► EmSmadE is phosphorylated by TGF-β- and BMP receptors and interacts with Echinococcus R- and Co-Smads. ► The full Smad complement of cestodes and tremzatodes comprises four R-Smads, one Co-Smad, and one I-Smad.