Inhibin

Antigen Background

Inhibins and activins are members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF ) family of cytokines. Inhibins are heterodimers consisting of a common -subunit linked to either a A subunit ( - A, forming inhibin A) or a B subunit ( - B, forming inhibin B). Activins share the -subunit with the inhibins and may be homo or heterodimers of -subunits forming activin A ( A- A), activin AB ( A- B) or activin B ( B- B). The expression of the -subunit, and therefore of inhibins appears to be more restricted than that of the -subunit, and therefore of activins. Inhibins and activins play a role in the regulation of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion. The actions of inhibins and activins are thought to oppose one another, with inhibins suppressing FSH secretion and activins stimulating FSH secretion. Inhibins are secreted by granulosa cells in female follicles and Sertoli cells of the testis in the male. Inhibins are thought to have local regulatory roles in a variety of tissues, in addition to the ovary, including the brain, adrenal glands, bone marrow, fetus and placenta.

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