Information
- Contact us
- How to Order
- Technical Support
- Privacy Policy, Terms Warranty
- Material Transfer Agreement
- Compound Submission
- Cell Import Requirements
- Latest Delivery Updates
- Power Search
This free script provided by
JavaScript Kit
TGF-BETA/BMP/ACTIVIN/ALK
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a protein that controls proliferation, cellular differentiation, and other functions in most cells. It plays a role in immunity, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Marfan syndrome, and Loeys?Dietz syndrome.
TGF--β is a secreted protein that exists in at least five isoforms called TGF--β1, TGF--β2 and TGF--β3. It was also the original name for TGF--β1, which was the founding member of this family. The TGF--β family is part of a superfamily of proteins known as the transforming growth factor beta superfamily, which includes inhibins, activin, anti-mullerian hormone, bone morphogenetic protein, decapentaplegic and Vg-1.
TGF-beta acts as an antiproliferative factor in normal epithelial cells and at early stages of oncogenesis.
Some cells that secrete TGF--β also have receptors for TGF--β. This is known as autocrine signalling. Cancerous cells increase their production of TGF--β, which also acts on surrounding cells.
Functions of the TGF-beta/BMP/Activin/ALK Pathway
In normal cells, TGF--β, acting through its signaling pathway, stops the cell cycle at the G1 stage to stop proliferation, induce differentiation, or promote apoptosis. When a cell is transformed into a cancer cell, parts of the TGF--β signaling pathway are mutated, and TGF--β no longer controls the cell. These cancer cells proliferate. The surrounding stromal cells (fibroblasts) also proliferate. Both cells increase their production of TGF--β. This TGF--β acts on the surrounding stromal cells, immune cells, endothelial and smooth-muscle cells. It causes immunosuppression and angiogenesis, which makes the cancer more invasive. TGF--β also converts effector T-cells, which normally attack cancer with an inflammatory (immune) reaction, into regulatory (suppressor) T-cells, which turn off the inflammatory reaction.
Products for TGF-beta/BMP/Activin/ALK Pathway
