Transforming Growth Factors
| Definition: |
Hormonally active polypeptides that can induce the transformed phenotype when added to normal, non-transformed cells. They have been found in culture fluids from retrovirally transformed cells and in tumor-derived cells as well as in non-neoplastic sources. Their transforming activities are due to the simultaneous action of two otherwise unrelated factors, TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR ALPHA and TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR BETA. |
| Notes: |
GEN or unspecified; prefer specifics; /drug eff permitted |
| CAS Type 1 Name: |
CAS Number: |
76057-06-2 |
| Previously Indexed: |
Growth Substances (1966-1988),Peptides (1966-1988) |
Transforming Growth Factors Categories.
 |
Transforming Growth Factor alpha - Factor isolated in a variety of tissues including epithelium, and maternal decidua. It is closely related to EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR and binds to the EGF receptor. TGF-alpha acts synergistically with TGF-beta in inducing phenotypic transformation, but its physiological role is unknown. |
|
Transforming Growth Factor beta - A factor synthesized in a wide variety of tissues. It acts synergistically with TGF-alpha in inducing phenotypic transformation and can also act as a negative autocrine growth factor. TGF-beta has a potential role in embryonal development, cellular differentiation, hormone secretion, and immune function. TGF-beta is found mostly as homodimer forms of separate gene products TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2 or TGF-beta3. Heterodimers composed of TGF-beta1 and 2 (TGF-beta1.2) or of TGF-beta2 and 3 (TGF-beta2.3) have been isolated. The TGF-beta proteins are synthesized as precursor proteins. |
Transforming Growth Factors Definitions and Terms
MedicalGlossary.org is designed as a free, browsable resource for all. The medical terms and definitions are not intended to replace medical informaion provided by licensed healthcare professionals. Please see a doctor if you need medical assistance. Don't see the medical term you were researching? Send us an e-mail from our "about us" page. We will do our best to research and classify new medical terms in a timely manner. Our current list of medical terms is over 26,000. Data sources include the U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2004 Medical Subject Headings.
|
