TGF beta

Overview

TGF-β is a multifunctional peptide that controls proliferation, differentiation, and other functions in many cell types. TGF-β acts synergistically with TGF-α in inducing cellular transformation (MIM 190170). It also acts as a negative autocrine apoptosis when activated. Many cells synthesize TGF-β and almost all of them have specific receptors for this peptide.

TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 all function through the same receptor signaling systems.

The Structure of TGF-β

The peptide structures of the three members of the TGF-β family are highly similar. They are all encoded as large protein precursors; TGF-β1 contains 390 cysteine residues that are conserved among its family; eight form disulphide bonds within the molecule to create a cysteine knot structure characteristic of the TGF-β superfamily while the ninth cysteine forms a bond with the ninth cysteine of another TGF-β molecule to produce the dimer.^[3] Many other conserved residues in TGF-β are thought to form secondary structure through hydrophobic interactions. The region between the fifth and sixth conserved cysteines houses the most divergent area of TGF-β molecules that is exposed at the surface of the molecule and is implicated in receptor binding and specificity of TGF-β.

Functions

Role in apoptosis

TGF beta induces apoptosis in numerous cell types. TGF beta can induce apoptosis in two ways: The SMAD pathway or the DAXX pathway.

SMAD pathway

The SMAD pathway is the classical signaling pathway that TGF beta family members signal through.

In this pathway TGF beta dimers binds to a type II receptor which recruits and phosphorylates a type I receptor.

The type I receptor then recruits and phosphorylates a receptor regulated SMAD (R-SMAD). SMAD3, an R-SMAD, is implicated in inducing apoptosis.

The R-SMAD then binds to the common SMAD (coSMAD) Mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 pathway.

This then triggers apoptosis.

DAXX pathway

TGF beta may also trigger apoptosis via the death associated protein 6 (DAXX adapter protein).

DAXX has been shown to associate with and bind to the type II TGF beta receptor kinase.

Role in cell cycle

TGF beta plays a crucial role in the regulation of the cell cycle.

Role in heart disease

A study at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine has found that statins, drugs that lower cholesterol levels, enhance the responsiveness of cardiovascular cells to the protective actions of TGF-beta, thus helping prevent the development of atherosclerosis and heart disease. [1]

Types

The primary three are:

• TGF beta 1 - TGFB1 (OMIM 190180)
• TGF beta 2 - TGFB2 (OMIM 190220)
• TGF beta 3 - TGFB3 (OMIM 190230)
• TGFβ4 precursor was discovered as a gene upregulated during pre-menstrual phase in the endometrail stroma(Kothapalli et al. 1997) and called EBAF (endometrial bleeding associated factor). Later independently discovered to be involved in vertebrate embryonic left right asymmetry determination, and given the name lefty2 (also called Lefty A).

See also

• Anita Roberts

References

v • d • e Coreceptors		BAMBI - Cripto
Other	SARA

v • d • e Transfer factor) - Monokine - Oncostatin M - Osteopontin - TGF beta - Tumor necrosis factor

v • d • e Animal intercellular Wnt (WNT4, Frzb)