Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Rhomboid, a seven-transmembrane domain protein, has been shown genetically to potentiate EGFR signaling via the TGFalpha-like ligand Spitz. Here we discuss recently published papers that identify Rhomboid as a novel serine protease, cleaving Spitz within its transmembrane domain.