Signaling via hetero-oligomeric complexes of type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors.

Members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily have been found to signal by inducing the formation of hetero-oligomeric complexes of different type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors. Recent data indicate that binding of TGF-beta to its constitutively active type II receptor recruits the type I receptor into the complex; the type I receptor is thereafter phosphorylated and activated, processes which are necessary and sufficient for most TGF-beta mediated responses. Recent genetic analyses of Drosophila also indicate a strict requirement for both type I and type II receptors in decapentaplegic signaling in vivo.