Description
Transforming Growth Factor beta -1 (TGF beta -1) is a secreted protein which belongs to the TGF- beta family. TGF beta -1 is abundantly expressed in bone, articular cartilage and chondrocytes and is increased in osteoarthritis (OA). TGF beta -1 performs many cellular functions, including the control of cell growth, cell proliferation, cell differentiation and apoptosis. The precursor is cleaved into a latency-associated peptide (LAP) and a mature TGF beta -1 peptide. TGF beta -1 may also form heterodimers with other TGF beta family members. It has been found that TGF beta -1 is frequently upregulated in tumor cells. Mutations in this gene results in Camurati-Engelmann disease