Activins and activin antagonists in the human ovary and ovarian cancer.
Activins are members of the transforming growth factor β superfamily that play an important role in controlling cell proliferation and differentiation in many organs including the ovary. It is essential that activin signalling be tightly regulated as imbalances can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and cancer. This review describes the expression and function of the activins and their known antagonists in both normal and cancerous human ovaries.
Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. Electronic address: karen.reader@otago.ac.nz.
Karen L
KL
Reader
Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
Elspeth
E
Gold
D028341:Activins / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D028341:Activins; D007265:Inhibins
Activin; Activin antagonists; Ovarian cancer; Ovary