摘要 |
Certain embodiments are directed to novel heterotrimeric fusions in which the ectodomain of the TGF-&bgr; type II receptor (T&bgr;P?II) is coupled to the N- and C-terminal ends of the endoglin-domain of the TGF-&bgr; type III receptor (TpRIIIE). Certain embodiments are directed to novel heterotrimeric polypeptides in which the ectodomain of the TGF-&bgr; type II receptor (TI3RII) is coupled to the N- and C-terminal ends of the endoglin-domain (E domain) of the TGF-&bgr; type III receptor (TI3RIII). This trimeric receptor, known as RER, can bind all three TGF-&bgr; isoforms with sub-nanomolar affinity and is effective at neutralizing signaling induced by all three TGF-&bgr; isoforms, but not other ligands of the TGF-&bgr; superfamily, such as activins, growth and differentiation factors (GDFs), and bone morphonogenetic proteins (BMPs). |