Mechanism of activation of the TGF-beta receptor

Nature. 1994 Aug 4;370(6488):341-7. doi: 10.1038/370341a0.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signals by contacting two distantly related transmembrane serine/threonine kinases called receptors I and II. The role of these molecules in signalling has now been determined. TGF-beta binds directly to receptor II, which is a constitutively active kinase. Bound TGF-beta is then recognized by receptor I which is recruited into the complex and becomes phosphorylated by receptor II. Phosphorylation allows receptor I to propagate the signal to downstream substrates. This provides a mechanism by which a cytokine can generate the first step of a signalling cascade.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mink
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phosphorus Radioisotopes
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transfection
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • Phosphorus Radioisotopes
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II