ALK5 monoclonal antibody

A total of three members of the TGFb family, namely TGFb1, TGFb2 and TGFb3, have been identified in mammals. Each is synthesized as a latent precursor that is subsequently cleaved forming the 112 amino acid growth factor which becomes active upon dimerization. TGFbs mediate their activity by high affinity binding to the TGFb receptor type-II (TGFb RII) with a cytoplasmic serine-threonine kinase domain. For signaling growth inhibition and early gene responses, TGFb RII requires both its kinase activity and its association with a TGFb-binding protein, designated TGFb receptor type-1 (TGFb RI). TGFb RI is a 503 amino acid single-pass type I membrane protein that is expressed ubiquitously and, with TGFb RII, functions as a receptor for TGFb. Defects in the gene encoding TGFb RI are the cause of aortic aneurysm familial thoracic type 5 (AAT5), Loeys-Dietz syndrome type 2A (LDS2A) and Loeys-Dietz syndrome type 1A (LDS1A).