Latent TGF-β binding protein-3 (LTBP-3) requires binding to TGF-β for secretion

Latent transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) binding protein (LTBP)-1, which is easily secreted, has been shown to enhance the secretion of TGF-beta. Here we show that another member of the LTBP family, LTBP-3, is not secreted by several cell types, but secretion occurs after coexpression with TGF-beta. The secretion of LTBP-3 requires complexing of LTBP-3 with Cys33 of the TGF-beta propeptide. (C) 2002 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.