TGF-beta 2, Mouse

Transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-beta2) is a member of TGF-beta superfamily that shares a characteristic cysteine knot structure. Mice with TGF-beta2 gene deletion show defects in development of cardiac, lung, craniofacial, limb, spinal column, eye, inner ear and urogenital systems. All TGF-beta isoforms signal via the same heteromeric receptor complex, consisting of a ligand binding TGF-beta receptor type II (TbetaR-II), and a TGF-beta receptor type I (TbetaR-I). Signal transduction from the receptor to the nucleus is mediated via SMADs. TGF-beta expression is found in cartilage, bone, teeth, muscle, heart, blood vessels, hematopoietic cells, lung, kidney, gut, liver, eye, ear, skin, and the nervous system.