TGF-β system and its research advances in teleost

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family members are multi-functional cytokines, which play pivotal roles in many physiological activities. TGF-β is synthesized as a pro-TGF-β precursor. Subsequently, the N-terminus of the immature protein is removed, and the new proteins form a homodimer. TGF-β mediates its biological functions via binding to receptors TβRI and TβRII, and then phosphorylates intracellular Smad proteins to activate signal pathway. Till now, most researches in TGF-β family are focused on TGF-β1, which is involved in immune, reproductive and liver functions, while just few studies about the other members of TGF-β and TGF-β receptors exist.