1131-Recurrent Multiplicity of TGFβ Domains in Vertebrates

This study identifies a significant evolutionary shift in the TGFβ signaling pathway, a system previously thought to be highly conserved across all vertebrates. Researchers discovered 12 independent instances of ligand-binding domain (LBD) multiplication within three specific receptor classes: ACVR1, BMPR2, and TGFBR2. While most metazoans possess receptors with only a single LBD, diverse lineages including fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals have evolved receptors with two or more tandem domains. These structural innovations allow organisms to fine-tune signaling intensity and ligand sequestration without altering the fundamental receptor stoichiometry. The research demonstrates that LBD duplication serves as a recurrent, flexible mechanism for molecular innovation, enabling tissue-specific regulation of essential developmental processes. Thus, the study reveals an unexpected layer of regulatory complexity in one of biology’s most critical and ancient signaling pathways.References:Knaus P, Jatzlau J, Kühlwein J, et al. Recurrent evolution of ligand-binding domain multiplicity fine-tunes TGFβ signaling in vertebrates[J]. 2026.前往小宇宙评论区与主播互动