TGFβ family receptors are grouped into three types, type I, type II, and type III. There are seven type I receptors, termed the activin-like receptors (ALK1–7), five type II receptors, and one type III receptor, for a total of 13 TGFβ superfamily receptors.[2][3] In the transduction pathway, ligand-bound type II receptors activate type I receptors by phosphorylation, which then autophosphorylate and bind SMAD.[4] The Type I receptors have a glycine-serine (GS, or TTSGSGSG) repeat motif of around 30 AA, a target of type II activity. At least three, and perhaps four to five of the serines and threonines in the GS domain, must be phosphorylated to fully activate TbetaR-1.[5]
Unlike the Type I and II receptors which are kinases, TGFBR3 has a Zona pellucida-like domain. Its core domain binds TGF-beta family ligands and its heparan sulfate chains bind bFGF. It acts as a reservoir of ligand for TGF-beta receptors.[6][7]