Regulation of the Bioavailability of TGF-β and TGF-β-Related Proteins
- 1Departments of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016
- 2Departments of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016
- Correspondence: ian.butler.robertson{at}gmail.com; Daniel.Rifkin{at}nyumc.org
Abstract
The bioavailability of members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family is controlled by a number of mechanisms. Bona fide TGF-β is sequestered into the matrix in a latent state and must be activated before it can bind to its receptors. Here, we review the molecules and mechanisms that regulate the bioavailability of TGF-β and compare these mechanisms with those used to regulate other TGF-β family members. We also assess the physiological significance of various latent TGF-β activators, as well as other extracellular modulators of TGF-β family signaling, by examining the available in vivo data from knockout mouse models and other biological systems.
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