TGF-β activity can have serious, deleterious consequences. The processes that control
conversion of the precursor to the biologically active form of TGF-β in vivo are not well
characterized. We have identified a mechanism for the activation of latent TGF-β that
involves binding of the secreted and extracellular matrix protein, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1),
to the latent precursor. Specific sequences in TSP-1 and in the precursor portion (the latency …