The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptors are a family of serine/threonine kinase receptors involved in TGF beta signaling pathway.
These receptors bind growth factor and cytokine signaling proteins in the TGF-beta family such as TGFβs (TGFβ1, TGFβ2, TGFβ3), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), growth differentiation factors (GDFs), activin and inhibin, myostatin, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and NODAL.
[2][3] In the transduction pathway, ligand-bound type II receptors activate type I receptors by phosphorylation, which then autophosphorylate and bind SMAD.
At least three, and perhaps four to five of the serines and threonines in the GS domain, must be phosphorylated to fully activate TbetaR-1.
[5] Unlike the Type I and II receptors which are kinases, TGFBR3 has a Zona pellucida-like domain.