TGF-beta
TGF-beta
TGF-beta (pronounced as T-G-F-beta), or Transforming Growth Factor-beta, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TGF-beta gene.
Pronunciation
TGF-beta is pronounced as "Tee Gee Eff Beta".
Etymology
The term "TGF-beta" is an acronym for "Transforming Growth Factor-beta". The term "transforming" refers to the protein's ability to transform cells, "growth factor" refers to its role in cell growth and proliferation, and "beta" is a designation used in biochemistry to differentiate this protein from others in the same family.
Function
TGF-beta is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates growth, differentiation, and immune responses. It plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the body and is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases.
Related Terms
- Cytokine: A type of protein that plays an important role in cell signaling.
- Gene: A unit of heredity that is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.
- Protein: A large molecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids in a specific order.
- Homeostasis: The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.
- Cancer: A group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.
- Fibrosis: The thickening and scarring of connective tissue, usually as a result of injury.
- Autoimmune disease: A condition arising from an abnormal immune response to a normal body part.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on TGF-beta
- Wikipedia's article - TGF-beta
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