Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptors, TGF-β Receptors

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptors are single pass serine/threonine kinase receptors that belong to TGF-β receptor family. They exist in several different isoforms that can be homo- or heterodimeric. TGF-β is a growth factor and cytokine involved in paracrine signalling and can be found in many different tissue types, including brain, heart, kidney, liver, bone, and testes. Over-expression of TGF-β can induce renal fibrosis, causing kidney disease, as well as diabetes, and ultimately end-stage renal disease.