Transforming growth factor beta-1 latent complex (TGF-β1 latent complex)

The **transforming growth factor beta-1 latent complex** is a multi-protein assembly in which the cytokine **TGF-β1** is secreted and stored in an inactive (latent) state in the extracellular matrix. TGF-β1 is synthesized as a precursor that includes a signal peptide, the mature cytokine sequence, and a latency-associated peptide (LAP). After proteolytic cleavage, the mature TGF-β1 remains non-covalently associated with LAP, forming the "small latent complex." For most TGF-β1, LAP is further covalently linked via disulfide bonds to a latent TGF-β binding protein (LTBP), resulting in the "large latent complex." LTBPs anchor the complex within the extracellular matrix. Activation of the latent complex—by proteolysis, integrin binding, or other mechanisms—releases mature TGF-β1 for receptor engagement and subsequent signal transduction. This complex is critical for regulating the spatial and temporal activity of TGF-β1 and dysregulation is implicated in diseases such as cancer, fibrosis, and chronic inflammation[1][2][3][4][5][6]. Key caveats: - The **latent complex is not a conventional drug target or receptor**; instead, it is a storage and regulatory form of TGF-β1, which itself is a validated target in several therapeutic contexts. - Searching for drugs, biomarkers, or safety specifically linked to the "latent complex" will yield little; such associations are generally described for TGF-β1 or its receptors, not the complex. - If a therapeutic agent is developed, it typically targets active TGF-β1 or its signaling pathway, not the latent complex specifically. This entry is marked **is_incorrect: true** because the "latent complex" refers to a structural storage form of TGF-β1, not a canonical individual therapeutic target (enzyme, receptor, transporter, etc.). Entries and structured data should typically refer to the mature active factor (TGF-β1) or the TGF-β receptor family.

Other names

TGF-β1 latent complexlatent TGF-β1 complexlatent transforming growth factor beta-1 complexlarge latent complex (LLC)