The Research Progress in Transforming Growth Factor-β2.

Transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2), an important member of the TGF-β family, is a secreted protein that is involved in many biological processes, such as cell growth, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. TGF-β2 had been thought to be functionally identical to TGF-β1; however, an increasing number of recent studies uncovered the distinctive features of TGF-β2 in terms of its expression, activation, and biological functions. Mice deficient in TGF-β2 showed remarkable developmental abnormalities in multiple organs, especially the cardiovascular system.

K Channel-Interacting Proteins in the Neurological and Cardiovascular Systems: An Updated Review.

K channel-interacting proteins (KChIP1-4) belong to a family of Ca-binding EF-hand proteins that are able to bind to the N-terminus of the K4 channel α-subunits. KChIPs are predominantly expressed in the brain and heart, where they contribute to the maintenance of the excitability of neurons and cardiomyocytes by modulating the fast inactivating-K4 currents. As the auxiliary subunit, KChIPs are critically involved in regulating the surface protein expression and gating properties of K4 channels.