Technical articles
Structural Basis, Transduction Branches, and Research Applications of the TGF-β Signaling Pathway
Structural Basis, Transduction Branches, and Research Applications of the TGF-β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway is an important molecular network that regulates cell fate, tissue homeostasis, and pathological remodeling. This pathway is centered on ligand activation, receptor complex assembly, and Smad-dependent transcriptional regulation, while also intersecting with non-Smad branches such as ERK, JNK, and p38. It is broadly involved in fibrosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immunosuppression, and tumor progression.
Keywords: TGF-β; TGFBR1; TGFBR2; Smad3; Smad4; ERK; JNK; p38; EMT; fibrosis
1. Ligand and Receptor System
1.1 Ligand Family
In the narrow sense, the TGF-β pathway is mainly mediated by TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. All three belong to the TGF-β superfamily, but they are not completely identical in tissue distribution, receptor-binding characteristics, or functional context. In most mechanistic studies, TGF-β1 is the most representative isoform, especially in research on fibrosis, immune regulation, and the tumor microenvironment. TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 are more often encountered in development, reproduction, and certain tissue-specific regulatory settings.
1.2 Receptor Composition
TGF-β signaling mainly depends on the type II receptor TGFBR2 and the type I receptor TGFBR1. TGF-β first binds to TGFBR2, after which TGFBR2 recruits and activates TGFBR1, forming a receptor complex competent for signal transduction. In many studies, TGFBR1 is also referred to as ALK5 and represents the key kinase node in the canonical TGF-β pathway.
1.3 Coreceptors and Auxiliary Regulatory Molecules
In addition to TGFBR1 and TGFBR2, the TGF-β receptor system is also regulated by accessory receptors such as TGF-βRIII. These molecules can influence ligand enrichment, local presentation, and receptor-binding efficiency, thereby altering the intensity of signaling input. In certain cell types, accessory receptors do not directly perform catalytic functions, but they can substantially affect the threshold of pathway output.
2. Ligand Activation and Signal Initiation
2.1 Latent Storage Form
TGF-β is not usually secreted directly in a free active form. In most cases, cells release latent TGF-β complexes, which are associated with latency-associated peptide and extracellular matrix components and stored in the local microenvironment. Therefore, activation of the TGF-β pathway depends not only on ligand expression level, but also on whether latent ligand is effectively activated.
2.2 Activation Mechanisms
Latent TGF-β can be activated through multiple mechanisms, including integrin-mediated mechanical pulling, proteolytic cleavage, local acidification, oxidative stress, and extracellular matrix remodeling. This feature makes the TGF-β pathway highly relevant to tissue injury, changes in mechanical tension, chronic inflammation, and matrix stiffening. For this reason, even under the same ligand expression background, different tissue microenvironments may display markedly different pathway activity.
2.3 Receptor Complex Formation
After activation, TGF-β binds TGFBR2, which then recruits TGFBR1 and activates its intracellular kinase domain. Only after receptor complex formation does the signal truly enter the intracellular transduction stage. For experimental studies, merely measuring total ligand abundance is often insufficient to infer pathway status; activated ligand, receptor expression, and receptor activation readouts are more informative.
3. Canonical Smad-Dependent Pathway
3.1 Smad Molecular Framework
The core transducers of the canonical TGF-β pathway are members of the Smad family. Smad2 and Smad3 are receptor-regulated Smads, Smad4 is the common-partner Smad, and Smad6 and Smad7 are inhibitory Smads. After TGFBR1 activation, Smad2 and Smad3 are directly phosphorylated, after which they form complexes with Smad4 and translocate into the nucleus.
3.2 Central Role of Smad3
In TGF-β-related fibrosis and EMT research, Smad3 usually has more direct functional significance than Smad2. Smad3 is more tightly linked to the expression of collagen, fibronectin, PAI-1, and multiple mesenchymal-related genes, making it a key intermediary between receptor activation and terminal pathological phenotypes. Therefore, in studies involving matrix deposition, scar formation, and invasive phenotypes, p-Smad3 is usually the preferred core readout.
3.3 Nuclear Transcriptional Regulation
After entering the nucleus, Smad complexes do not act alone. Instead, they cooperate with other transcription factors, co-activators, and chromatin regulatory proteins to determine the spectrum of target gene expression. Their downstream targets include not only cell cycle inhibitory genes, but also extracellular matrix-related genes and EMT-associated transcriptional regulators. Thus, the transcriptional output of the TGF-β pathway is not unidirectional, but varies according to cell type and microenvironmental context.
Table 1. Major Components of the Canonical TGF-β Pathway
Level | Key molecules | Main role |
Ligand level | TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3 | Provide upstream stimulation and define isoform context |
Receptor level | TGFBR2, TGFBR1/ALK5 | Form receptor complexes and initiate intracellular transduction |
Canonical transduction level | Smad2, Smad3, Smad4 | Mediate nuclear transcriptional regulation |
Negative regulatory level | Smad7 | Provide receptor-level negative feedback inhibition |
4. Non-Smad Branches and Their Crosstalk with the Canonical Axis
4.1 ERK Branch
In certain cellular contexts, TGF-β can activate the ERK1/2 branch. ERK signaling is usually associated with proliferative adaptation, survival, migration, and enhancement of certain EMT-related effects. In tumor cells and some activated fibroblasts, the ERK branch often cooperates with the Smad axis in phenotypic remodeling.
4.2 JNK and c-Jun Branch
The JNK-c-Jun axis is one of the most common stress-response and transcription-enhancing modules among the non-Smad branches of TGF-β signaling. This branch can influence AP-1-related transcriptional programs and enhance migration, inflammation-like responses, and EMT-associated gene expression. In some models, enhanced c-Jun phosphorylation after TGF-β stimulation often indicates that AP-1 cooperative transcription is participating in pathway output.
4.3 p38 Branch
p38 MAPK is another important non-Smad branch in TGF-β signaling and is frequently associated with stress adaptation, inflammatory microenvironmental responses, and fibrosis-related phenotypes. Activation of p38 can amplify matrix production, cell contractility, and tissue remodeling signals, making it a high-priority target in fibrosis studies.
4.4 Relationship Between the Canonical Axis and Bypass Signals
The Smad-dependent pathway determines the basic direction of TGF-β signaling, whereas non-Smad branches often determine phenotype intensity, response duration, and output bias in specific contexts. In experimental design, measuring only p-Smad2/3 while ignoring ERK, JNK, or p38 often makes it difficult to fully explain why the same receptor stimulation produces different degrees of migration, EMT, or fibrotic phenotypes.
5. Major Biological Effects of the TGF-β Pathway
5.1 Growth Inhibition
In normal epithelial cells and certain early-stage tumor cells, TGF-β often acts as a growth-inhibitory signal. It can induce expression of cell cycle inhibitory factors and suppress pro-proliferative programs, thereby maintaining tissue homeostasis and growth restraint.
5.2 Cell Differentiation and Fate Regulation
TGF-β plays important roles in development, maintenance of stem cell states, and lineage differentiation. Its specific outputs depend heavily on cell type and the surrounding signaling background; therefore, the same stimulus may promote differentiation, inhibit differentiation, or induce lineage switching in different models.
5.3 Extracellular Matrix Deposition and Fibrosis
TGF-β is one of the most central molecules in fibrosis research. Upon pathway activation, it induces the expression of collagen, fibronectin, and multiple matrix remodeling molecules, while promoting the transition of fibroblasts toward a myofibroblast phenotype, ultimately leading to tissue stiffening and functional decline of organs.
5.4 Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
TGF-β is a classical inducer in EMT research. During this process, epithelial markers such as E-cadherin decrease, while mesenchymal markers such as N-cadherin, Vimentin, and related transcriptional regulators increase, accompanied by enhanced cell migration, invasiveness, and plasticity.
5.5 Immunosuppression and Microenvironmental Remodeling
TGF-β can suppress effector T-cell function, promote regulatory T-cell formation, and influence the state of macrophages, dendritic cells, and stromal cells. Therefore, this pathway is not only an intracellular signaling axis, but also an important regulatory network shaping an immunosuppressive microenvironment.
6. Disease Relevance
6.1 Fibrotic Diseases
In the fibrosis of organs such as liver, lung, kidney, and myocardium, the TGF-β pathway is often maintained in a persistently high-activity state. Its pathological significance lies in driving long-term maintenance of Smad3-dominant matrix production programs while cooperating with bypass branches such as p38 to amplify tissue remodeling effects.
6.2 Stage-Dependent Roles in Tumors
TGF-β exerts different functions at different stages of tumor development. In early tumors, TGF-β often suppresses proliferation and maintains growth restraint. During tumor progression, tumor cells gradually become insensitive to its growth-inhibitory effects, yet may retain or even enhance outputs related to EMT, immunosuppression, invasion, and metastasis. Therefore, the role of TGF-β in tumors is strongly stage-dependent and cannot be simply classified as exclusively oncogenic or tumor-suppressive.
6.3 Immune and Inflammatory Tolerance
In chronic inflammation, tumor immune evasion, and parasite-associated immune regulation, the TGF-β pathway may participate in establishing a tolerant environment. Research on these problems usually requires simultaneous attention to ligand level, Smad3 activation, and whether non-Smad branches are also involved.
7. Common Experimental Readouts in Research
7.1 Ligand and Receptor Level
Common indicators include expression of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3, levels of activated TGF-β, and the expression status of TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. If the research focus is the true degree of pathway activation, total TGF-β should be distinguished as much as possible from latent or activated TGF-β.
7.2 Canonical Transduction Level
p-Smad2, p-Smad3, and nuclear translocation of Smad4 are the most commonly used canonical transduction readouts. Smad7 is often used to evaluate negative feedback status. In fibrosis- and EMT-related studies, p-Smad3 is usually more directly informative than total Smad3.
7.3 Non-Smad Branch Level
Phosphorylation states of ERK1/2, JNK-c-Jun, and p38 are common bypass readouts. If the study concerns enhanced migration, stress amplification, or invasive phenotypes, measuring only the Smad axis is often insufficient, and combined analysis of these bypass signals is necessary.
7.4 Functional Level
Functional readouts usually include the expression of matrix molecules such as collagen, FN1, and SERPINE1; changes in EMT markers such as E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin; and results from migration, invasion, contraction, and morphological remodeling assays. Functional conclusions should not be based solely on a single phosphorylation event, but should instead be judged in combination with terminal phenotypes.
Table 2. Common Experimental Readouts in TGF-β Pathway Research
Research level | Common indicators | Main significance |
Ligand/receptor level | TGF-β1, TGFBR1, TGFBR2 | Determine upstream stimulatory conditions |
Canonical transduction level | p-Smad2, p-Smad3, Smad4 | Determine whether Smad-dependent signaling is established |
Non-Smad branch level | ERK, JNK/c-Jun, p38 | Determine whether bypass signaling participates in output |
Functional level | Collagen, FN1, EMT markers, migration/invasion | Determine terminal phenotypic changes |
Table 3. Core Ligand, Receptor, and Direct Intervention Products for the TGF-β Pathway
Product category | Catalog No. | Name | Specification or purity | Suitable research direction/use |
Mimetic ligand | H. polygyrus TGF-β mimic | Moligand™ | For TGF-β-like signaling simulation and host-parasite immune regulation studies | |
Human recombinant ligand | Recombinant Human TGF-beta 1 GMP Protein | Animal Free,Carrier Free,Bioactive,ActiBioPure™,High Performance,≥97%(SDS-PAGE&SEC-HPLC) | For high-standard TGF-β1 stimulation experiments and functional studies | |
Human recombinant ligand | Recombinant Human TGF-beta 1 Monomer Protein | Carrier Free,Bioactive,ActiBioPure™,His Tag,≥95%(SDS-PAGE) | For monomeric TGF-β1 studies and structure-function analysis | |
Human recombinant ligand | Recombinant Human TGF-beta 1 Protein | Animal Free,Carrier Free,Bioactive,ActiBioPure™,High Performance,His Tag,≥95%(SDS-PAGE) | For canonical TGF-β1 pathway stimulation, EMT, and fibrosis model establishment | |
Human recombinant ligand | Recombinant Human TGF-beta 1 Protein | Animal Free,Carrier Free,Bioactive,ActiBioPure™,High Performance,His Tag,≥95%(SDS-PAGE),expressed in HEK293; See COA | For human TGF-β1 stimulation and mammalian expression system-related studies | |
Human recombinant ligand | Recombinant Human TGF-beta 1 Protein | Animal Free,Carrier Free,Bioactive,ActiBioPure™,His Tag,≥95%(SDS-PAGE),See COA | For TGF-β1 induction experiments and dose-response analysis | |
Human recombinant ligand | Recombinant Human TGF-beta 2 Protein | Animal Free,Carrier Free,Bioactive,ActiBioPure™,High Performance,His Tag,≥95%(SDS-PAGE),expressed in HEK293; See COA | For TGF-β2 isoform studies and functional comparison with TGF-β1 | |
Mouse recombinant ligand | Recombinant Mouse TGF-beta 1 Protein | Animal Free,Carrier Free,Bioactive,ActiBioPure™,Azide Free,High Performance,His Tag,≥95%(SDS-PAGE) | For mouse TGF-β1 stimulation experiments and animal model validation | |
Mouse recombinant ligand | Recombinant Mouse TGF-beta 2 Protein | Animal Free,Carrier Free,Bioactive,ActiBioPure™,High Performance,His Tag,≥95%(SDS-PAGE) | For mouse TGF-β2 pathway studies | |
Receptor protein | Recombinant Mouse TGF-beta RII Protein | Animal Free,Carrier Free,Bioactive,ActiBioPure™,High Performance,His Tag,Fc tag,≥95%(SDS-PAGE) | For TGFBR2 binding, blockade, and receptor-level functional studies | |
Coreceptor/accessory receptor protein | Recombinant Human TGF-beta RIII Protein | Animal Free,Carrier Free,His Tag,≥90%(SDS-PAGE) | For studies of TGF-β accessory receptor function and ligand presentation | |
Pathway inhibitor | TGF-β1/Smad3-IN-1 | Moligand™,≥98% | For inhibition studies of the TGF-β1/Smad3 axis | |
Pathway inhibitor | TGF-β1/Smad3-IN-1 | Moligand™, 10 mM in DMSO | For inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad3 axis in cell-based experiments | |
Receptor inhibitor | TGF-βRI inhibitor 1 | For validation of TGFBR1/ALK5 dependence | ||
Receptor inhibitor | TGF-βRI inhibitor 1 methylbenzenesulfonate | For validation of TGFBR1/ALK5 dependence | ||
Functional peptide tool | pm26TGF-β1 peptide | For functional peptide studies related to TGF-β1 | ||
Functional peptide tool | pm26TGF-β1 peptide TFA | ≥99% | For high-purity TGF-β1 functional peptide studies | |
Compound library | TGF-beta/Smad compound library | For TGF-β/Smad pathway screening and mechanistic studies |
Table 4. Products for Validation of the Smad3 Axis and Non-Smad Branches in the TGF-β Pathway
Product category | Catalog No. | Name | Specification or purity | Suitable research direction/use |
Smad3 recombinant protein | Recombinant Human SMAD3 Protein | ≥95%(SDS-PAGE) | For in vitro functional studies of Smad3 | |
Smad3 recombinant protein | Recombinant Human Smad3 Protein | Carrier Free,Azide Free,His Tag,≥95%(SDS-PAGE) | For Smad3 function and binding studies | |
Smad3 recombinant protein | Recombinant Human Smad3 Protein | Carrier Free,Azide Free,His Tag,≥90%(SDS-PAGE) | For Smad3 functional studies | |
Phospho-Smad3 detection | Recombinant Phospho-Smad3 (S423 + S425) Antibody | KO Validation | For detection of canonical TGF-β pathway activation | |
Smad3 detection antibody | Recombinant SMAD3 Antibody | ExactAb™, Validated, Recombinant, 1 mg/mL | For SMAD3 protein detection | |
Smad3 gene intervention | SMAD3 Human Pre-designed siRNA Set A | For SMAD3 knockdown and validation of pathway dependence | ||
Smad3 knockout control | pLenti-SMAD3-sgRNA | For SMAD3 protein-negative control | ||
Smad3 knockout control | pLenti-SMAD3-sgRNA | For RNA-level control of SMAD3 knockout | ||
Smad3 detection antibody | Smad3 Mouse mAb | Carrier Free,ExactAb™,Azide Free,Validated,High Performance,PBS Only,≥95%(SDS-PAGE),1.0 mg/mL | For Smad3 protein detection | |
Smad3 detection antibody | Smad3 Mouse mAb | Carrier Free,ExactAb™,Azide Free,Validated,High Performance,PBS Only,≥95%(SDS-PAGE),1.0 mg/mL | For Smad3 protein detection | |
Smad3 detection antibody | Smad3 Mouse mAb | Carrier Free,ExactAb™,Azide Free,Validated,High Performance,PBS Only,≥95%(SDS-PAGE),1.0 mg/mL | For Smad3 protein detection | |
c-Jun branch | Recombinant Human c-Jun Protein | Carrier Free,His Tag,≥95%(SDS-PAGE),See COA | For functional studies of the AP-1/c-Jun branch | |
c-Jun branch | Recombinant Phospho-c-Jun (T91) Antibody | KD Validation | For detection of c-Jun activation in the non-Smad branch of TGF-β signaling | |
c-Jun branch | Recombinant c-Jun Antibody | Recombinant,ExactAb™,Validated,See COA | For c-Jun protein detection | |
c-Jun branch | Recombinant c-Jun Antibody | KD Validation | For c-Jun protein detection | |
ERK branch | ERK1/2 inhibitor 1 | 10mM in DMSO | For validation of ERK1/2 dependence | |
ERK branch | ERK1/2 inhibitor 1 | ≥99% | For validation of ERK1/2 dependence | |
ERK branch | Recombinant ERK1 Antibody | ExactAb™, Validated, Recombinant, High performance, 2mg/mL | For ERK1 protein detection | |
ERK branch | Recombinant ERK1/2 Antibody | KD Validation | For ERK1/2 protein detection | |
ERK branch | Recombinant Human ERK1 Protein | Carrier Free,Bioactive,ActiBioPure™,His Tag,≥85%(SDS-PAGE),See COA | For in vitro functional studies of ERK1 | |
ERK branch | ERK2 Mouse mAb | Carrier Free, ExactAb™, Azide Free, Validated, High Performance, See COA | For ERK2 protein detection | |
ERK branch | Recombinant ERK2 Antibody | ExactAb™, Validated, Recombinant, 0.5 mg/mL | For ERK2 protein detection | |
ERK branch | Recombinant Human ERK2 Protein | Carrier Free, Bioactive, ActiBioPure™, ≥90%(SDS-PAGE), See COA | For in vitro functional studies of ERK2 | |
JNK branch | Recombinant Human JNK1 Protein | Carrier Free,Bioactive,ActiBioPure™,His Tag,≥85%(SDS-PAGE),See COA | For JNK1 functional studies | |
JNK branch | Recombinant JNK1 Antibody | ExactAb™, Validated, Recombinant, 1.0 mg/mL | For JNK1 protein detection | |
JNK branch | Recombinant JNK1/JNK2/JNK3 Antibody | Recombinant, ExactAb™, Validated, See COA | For detection of JNK family proteins | |
p38 branch | Recombinant Human p38 alpha Protein | Carrier Free,His Tag,≥90%(SDS-PAGE),See COA | For in vitro functional studies of p38α | |
p38 branch | Recombinant Phospho-p38 (T180) Antibody | KD Validation | For detection of p38 activation | |
p38 branch | Recombinant p38 alpha/MAPK14 Antibody | Recombinant, ExactAb™, Validated, High Performance, See COA | For p38α/MAPK14 detection | |
p38 branch | p38 alpha Mouse mAb | Carrier Free,ExactAb™,Azide Free,Validated,High Performance,PBS Only,≥95%(SDS-PAGE),1.0 mg/mL | For p38α protein detection | |
p38 branch | p38 MAP Kinase Inhibitor IV | ≥95% | For validation of p38 dependence | |
p38 branch | p38 MAPK-IN-1 | ≥99% | For p38 pathway inhibition studies | |
p38 branch | p38 MAPK-IN-1 | 10mM in DMSO | For inhibition of p38 in cell-based experiments | |
p38 branch | p38-α MAPK-IN-1 | ≥99% | For validation of p38α dependence | |
p38 branch | p38-α MAPK-IN-1 | 10mM in DMSO | For inhibition of p38α in cell-based experiments |
Table 5. Quantitative Detection Reagents for the TGF-β Pathway
Product category | Catalog No. | Name | Specification or purity | Suitable research direction/use |
Smad3 quantitative detection | Human SMAD3 ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of human SMAD3 | |
Smad3 quantitative detection | Human SMAD Family Member 3 (SMAD3) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of human Smad3 | |
Smad3 quantitative detection | Rat SMAD3 ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of rat SMAD3 | |
Smad3 quantitative detection | Rat Mothers Against Decapentaplegic Homolog 3 (Smad3) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of rat Smad3 | |
Smad3 quantitative detection | Mouse SMAD3 ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of mouse SMAD3 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Human LAP Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (LAP TGF-β1) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For detection of latent TGF-β1 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Human transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of total human TGF-β | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Human Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-β1) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of human TGF-β1 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Human TGF-β1 ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of human TGF-β1 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Human Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (TGF-β2) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of human TGF-β2 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Human Transforming Growth Factor Beta 3 (TGF-β3) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of human TGF-β3 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Rat Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of total rat TGF-β | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Rat Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-β1) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of rat TGF-β1 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Rat TGF-β1 ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of rat TGF-β1 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Rat Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (TGF-β2) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of rat TGF-β2 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Rat Transforming Growth Factor Beta 3 (TGF-β3) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of rat TGF-β3 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Mouse Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of total mouse TGF-β | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Mouse Transforming Growth Factor β1(TGF-β1) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of mouse TGF-β1 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Mouse TGF-β1 ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of mouse TGF-β1 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Mouse Transforming Growth Factor β2(TGF-β2) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of mouse TGF-β2 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Mouse Transforming Growth Factor β3(TGF-β3) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of mouse TGF-β3 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Monkey Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of total monkey TGF-β | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Monkey Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-β1) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of monkey TGF-β1 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Monkey Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (TGF-β2) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of monkey TGF-β2 | |
Ligand quantitative detection | Guinea Pig Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β) ELISA Kit | BioReagent | For quantitative detection of total guinea pig TGF-β |
The research value of the TGF-β signaling pathway lies in its integration of ligand activation, receptor assembly, Smad transduction, non-Smad branches, and microenvironmental remodeling into a continuous regulatory system.
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References
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