title: The structures that underlie normal reproductive function.
abstract: The mechanisms and physiology of reproductive function have fascinated scientists throughout time. Recent cellular and molecular level structural studies have provided unprecedented insights into reproductive systems and signaling networks. This 'cutting edge' editorial provides a recent example in each of these areas, namely, the anatomical integrity of the follicle, the molecular structure of activin with its binding partners and the molecular regulation of inhibin. These three examples of structure informing function help explain reproductive health and may provide solutions to reproductive disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Lerch
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Theodore S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Jardetzky
authors.forename: Kelly E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Mayo
authors.forename: Ishwar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Radhakrishnan
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kazer
authors.forename: Lonnie D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.forename: Teresa K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Woodruff
mesh_terms: D004703:Endocrine System; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*