Practice question

TGF-beta family including TGF-beta1-3, BMPs, GDFs, Activins regulates development beyond early mesoderm patterning controlling tissue remodeling and homeostasis. Ligands signal via type I ALK5 and type II TGFBR2 serine-threonine kinases activating Smad2/3 to control extracellular matrix production, collagen I III fibronectin deposition, integrin expression, matrix metalloprotease inhibition guiding branching morphogenesis of mammary gland, prostate, kidney. They inhibit epithelial proliferation, promote apoptosis sculpting ducts, modulate immunosuppression. JAK-STAT is cytokine pathway not primary TGF-beta downstream, Hedgehog suppression and Wnt enhancement not central roles. Thus ECM remodeling and branching represent core physiological functions of family.