A novel transforming growth factor beta2 antisense transcript in mammalian lung.

Transforming growth factor (TGF) beta2 gene expression was examined in murine, rat and human lung by in situ hybridization with riboprobes. Hybridization signal was observed in a variety of cells with the sense probe, and Northern-blot analysis with this probe demonstrated the presence of a novel 3.5 kb transcript. This first report suggesting the existance of a natural TGFbeta2 antisense transcript raises the possibility that such a transcript may play a role in regulating TGFbeta2 production.