Transforming growth factor beta superfamily

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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^[1]. 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 and group encompassing various divergent members.^[2] These molecules 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.^[2]

[edit] References

^ Assoian R, Komoriya A, Meyers C, Miller D, Sporn M (1983). "Transforming growth factor-beta in human platelets. Identification of a major storage site, purification, and characterization". J Biol Chem 258 (11): 7155-60. PMID 6602130.
^ ^a ^b Herpin A, Lelong C, Favrel P (2004). "Transforming growth factor-beta-related proteins: an ancestral and widespread superfamily of cytokines in metazoans". Dev Comp Immunol 28 (5): 461-85. PMID 15062644.