title: Latent transforming growth factor-beta: structural features and mechanisms of activation.
abstract: Transforming growth factor-beta are cytokines with a wide range of biological effects. They play a pathologic role in inflammatory and fibrosing diseases such as nephrosclerosis. TGF-beta s are secreted in a latent form due to noncovalent association with latency associated peptide (LAP), which is a homodimer formed from the propeptide region of TGF-beta. LAP is disulfide linked to another protein, latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP). LTBP has features in common with extracellular matrix proteins, and targets latent TGF-beta to the matrix. Activation of latent TGF-beta can be accomplished in vitro by denaturing treatments, plasmin digestion, ionizing radiation and interaction with thrombospondin. The mechanisms by which latent TGF-beta is activated physiologically are not well understood. Results to date suggest an important role for proteases, particularly plasmin, although other mechanisms probably exist. A general model of activation is proposed in which latent TGF-beta is released from the extracellular matrix by proteases, localized to cell surfaces, and activated by cell-associated plasmin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, New York University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Munger
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Harpel
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Gleizes
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mazzieri
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Rifkin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005341:Fibrinolysin / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D053779:Latent TGF-beta Binding Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D053779:Latent TGF-beta Binding Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D005341:Fibrinolysin