Regulation of transforming growth factor-β signaling

Abstract

Members of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family are potent regulators of multiple cellular functions, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, organization, and death. Yet the signaling pathways underpinning a wide array of biological activities of TGF-β appear to be deceptively simple. At every step from TGF-β secretion to activation of its target genes, the activity of TGF-β is regulated tightly, both positively and negatively. Biologically active TGF-β is cleaved from a precursor protein (latent form) and multiple process factors control the levels of active TGF-β. The efficient secretion, correct folding and deposition to the extracellular matrices require the cos..