Inhibins: from reproductive hormones to tumor suppressors.
Inhibins are peptide hormones shown originally to be produced by the gonads to regulate the secretion of follicle stimulating hormone by pituitary gonadotropes. Although gonadotropes have been regarded as the canonical inhibin target cells, in recent years extrapituitary actions of inhibins have come into the spotlight. In particular, disruptions to the local actions of inhibins in peripheral tissues might underlie certain diseases, especially cancers of the reproductive tract. This review focuses on recent advances in the inhibin field, with a particular emphasis on the determinants of inhibin availability, mechanisms of inhibin action, and the physiological relevancy of local inhibin actions in the development and progression of reproductive cancers.
Stenvers
Kaye L
KL
Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168 Australia. kaye.stenvers@princehenrys.org
Findlay
Jock K
JK
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology
D036361:Peptide Hormones; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011509:Proteoglycans; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; C071736:betaglycan; D007265:Inhibins