Activin Receptor Type-1B (ACVR1B) is a single-pass type I membrane protein that belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. ACVR1B contains one GS domain and one protein kinase domain and is expressed in many tissues, most strongly in kidney, pancreas, brain, lung, and liver. ACVR1B acts as a transducer of activin or activin like ligands signals. Activin binds to either ACVR2A or ACVR2B and then forms a complex with ACVR1B, ACVR2A or ACVR2B activating ACVR1B through phosphorylation of its regulatory GS domain. They go on to recruit the R-SMADs, SMAD2 and SMAD3. ACVR1B also transducers signals of nodal, GDF-1, and Vg1. Mutations in ACVR1B are associated with pituitary tumors.
