Promiscuity and specificity in BMP receptor activation
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs), together with Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β and Activins/Inhibins constitute the TGF-β superfamily of ligands. This superfamily is formed by more than 30 structurally related secreted proteins. Since TGF-β members act as morphogens, either a strict relation between a particular ligand to a distinct cellular receptor and/or temporospatial expression patterns of ligands and receptors is expected. Instead, only a limited number of receptors exist implicating promiscuous interactions of ligands and receptors. Furthermore, in complex tissues a multitude of different ligands can be found, which signal via overlapping subsets of receptors. This raises the intriguing question how concerted interactions of different ligands and receptors generate highly specific cellular signals, which are required during development and tissue homeostasis.
Source: FEBS Letters
Authors: Thomas D. Mueller, Joachim Nickel
Institutions: University of Würzburg, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg
Language: English
Topic: TGF-β signaling in diseases
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,980
OpenAlex ID: W2061635827