tsf-1

Transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β2) is a member of TGF-beta superfamily that shares a characteristic cysteine knot structure. Mice with TGF-β2 gene deletion show defects in development of cardiac, lung, craniofacial, limb, spinal column, eye, inner ear and urogenital systems. All TGF-β isoforms signal via the same heteromeric receptor complex, consisting of a ligand binding TGF-β receptor type II (TβR-II), and a TGF-β receptor type I (TβR-I). Signal transduction from the receptor to the nucleus is mediated via SMADs. TGF-β expression is found in cartilage, bone, teeth, muscle, heart, blood vessels, haematopoitic cells, lung, kidney, gut, liver, eye, ear, skin, and the nervous system.

Transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGF-β2) is a secreted protein which belongs to the TGF-beta family. It is known as a cytokine that performs many cellular functions and has a vital role during embryonic development. The precursor is cleaved into mature TGF-beta-2 and LAP, which remains non-covalently linked to mature TGF-beta-2 rendering it inactive. It is an extracellular glycosylated protein. It is known to suppress the effects of interleukin dependent T-cell tumors. Defects in TGFB2 may be a cause of non-syndromic aortic disease (NSAD).

Serine threonine-protein kinase 16, also known as myristoylated and palmitoylated serine threonine-protein kinase, Protein kinase PKL12, TGF-beta-stimulated factor 1, TSF-1, MPSK1 and STK16, is a membrane protein that is ubiquitously expressed at very low levels. STK16 MPSK1 belongs to the protein kinase superfamily and Ser Thr protein kinase family. It contains one protein kinase domain. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) shows a variety of biological activities in various organs or cells. Some factors such as Smads (Sma and Mad proteins) and TGF-beta activating kinase 1 have been characterized as signalling molecules downstream of TGF-beta. Several TGF-beta response elements have been identified such as cAMP response element, Smad binding element, and recognition sites for activating protein-1 and stimulating protein-1 in various gene promoters. STK16 MPSK1 is a unique factor with two biological functions, transcriptional regulation and protein phosphorylation, that may be involved in TGF-beta signals. STK16 MPSK1 is a protein kinase that acts on both serine and threonine residues. STK16 MPSK1 possessed DNA-binding ability and activated the TGF-beta responsive CNP promoter or vascular endothelial growth factor gene promoter which possesses a sequence element analogous to the TGF-beta responsive GC-rich element of the CNP promoter. STK16 MPSK1 did not directly activate a Smads-dependent promoter from plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 gene, but it showed enhancement in co-operation with Smad3 and Smad4. STK16 MPSK1 mRNA as well as its protein level were stimulated by TGF-beta treatment.