Description
Relevance: Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFbeta1) is the prototype of a growing superfamily of peptide growth factors and plays a prominent role in a variety of cellular processes, including cell-cycle progression, cell differentiation, reproductive function, development, motility, adhesion, neuronal growth, bone morphogenesis, wound healing, and immune surveillance. TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3 signal via the same heteromeric receptor complex, consisting of a ligand binding TGF-beta receptor type II (TbetaR-II), and a TGF-beta receptor type I (TbetaR-I). Signal transduction from the receptor to the nucleus is mediated via SMADs. TGF-beta expression is found in cartilage, bone, teeth, muscle, heart, blood vessels, haematopoitic cells, lung, kidney, gut, liver, eye, ear, skin, and the nervous system.
Function: Multifunctional protein that controls proliferation, differentiation and other functions in many cell types. Many cells synthesize TGFB1 and have specific receptors for it. It positively and negatively regulates many other growth factors. It plays an important role in bone remodeling as it is a potent stimulator of osteoblastic bone formation, causing chemotaxis, proliferation and differentiation in committed osteoblasts