Transforming Growth Factor Beta Superfamily
The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily is a large family of structurally related cell regulatory proteins that was named after its first member, TGF-β1, originally described in 1983.
Many proteins have since been described as members of the TGF-β superfamily in a variety of species, including invertebrates as well as vertebrates and categorized into 23 distinct gene types that fall into four major subfamilies:
- the decapentaplegic-Vg-related (DVR) related subfamily (including the bone morphogenetic proteins and the growth differentiation factors)
- the activin/inhibin subfamily
- the TGF-β subfamily
- a group encompassing various divergent members
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a multifunctional peptide that controls proliferation, differentiation and other functions in many cell types. TGF-beta-1 is a peptide of 112 amino acid residues derived by proteolytic cleavage from the C-terminal of a precursor protein. These proteins interact with a conserved family of cell surface serine/threonine-specific protein kinase receptors, and generate intracellular signals using a conserved family of proteins called SMADs. They play fundamental roles in the regulation of basic biological processes such as growth, development, tissue homeostasis and regulation of the immune system.
Read more about Transforming Growth Factor Beta Superfamily: Structure, Examples
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