About the TGF-β Superfamily
The TGF-β superfamily consists of over 30 dimeric secreted proteins in humans that are involved in many aspects of development and homeostasis. It is one of the few signaling pathways conserved across Animalia, and dysfunction and dysregulation of TGF-β ligands and receptors contribute to a variety of diseases. In addition to the TGF-βs, the superfamily includes the BMP and activin classes. There is a substantial and growing body of research on the superfamily’s signaling mechanisms, protein structure, biological functions, and therapeutic potential. The field began with the isolation and characterization of TGF-β1 by Anita Roberts and Michael Sporn in the early 1980s and has expanded rapidly since then.