sma-3 encodes a Smad protein; during development, SMA-3 functions as part of a DBL-1/SMA-6 TGF-beta-related signaling pathway that controls body size and male tail sensory ray and spicule formation; sma-3, through this pathway, also regulates reproductive aging; studies have shown that a reduction of TGF-beta pathway genes extends reproductive span by maintaining oocyte and germline quality; sma-3 is widely expressed at all developmental stages, beginning during embryogenesis, continuing through all larval stages, and seen very strongly in adult hermaphrodites and males; a SMA-3::GFP is detected in the pharynx, intestine, and hypodermis and localizes to the nucleus; sma-3 expression in the hypodermis is necessary and sufficient for normal body size; SMA-3 can physically interact with the LIN-31 forkhead transcription factor and with DAF-16.
Enables transcription coactivator activity. Involved in several processes, including defense response to other organism; male anatomical structure morphogenesis; and regulation of developmental process. Located in cytoplasm and nucleus. Expressed in several structures, including hypodermis; intestine; pharynx; somatic gonad; and tail.