|
|
||||||||
Articles |
Inhibin and activin are members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) family of cytokines produced by the gonads, with a recognised role in regulating pituitary FSH secretion. Inhibin consists of two homologous subunits, alpha and either betaA or betaB (inhibin A and B). Activins are hetero- or homodimers of the beta-subunits. Inhibin and free alpha subunit are known products of two ovarian tumours (granulosa cell tumours and mucinous carcinomas). This observation has provided the basis for the development of a serum diagnostic test to monitor the occurrence and treatment of these cancers. Transgenic mice with an inhibin alpha subunit gene deletion develop stromal/granulosa cell tumours suggesting that the alpha subunit is a tumour suppressor gene. The role of inhibin and activin is reviewed in ovarian cancer both as a measure of proven clinical utility in diagnosis and management and also as a factor in the pathogenesis of these tumours. In order to place these findings into perspective the biology of inhibin/activin and of other members of the TGFbeta superfamily is also discussed.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
C. M. Sturgeon, M. J. Duffy, U.-H. Stenman, H. Lilja, N. Brunner, D. W. Chan, R. Babaian, R. C. Bast Jr., B. Dowell, F. J. Esteva, et al. National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines for Use of Tumor Markers in Testicular, Prostate, Colorectal, Breast, and Ovarian Cancers Clin. Chem., December 1, 2008; 54(12): e11 - e79. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Tsigkou, D. Marrelli, F. M. Reis, S. Luisi, A. L. Silva-Filho, F. Roviello, S. A. Triginelli, and F. Petraglia Total Inhibin Is a Potential Serum Marker for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2007; 92(7): 2526 - 2531. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. Hempel, T. How, M. Dong, S. K. Murphy, T. A. Fields, and G. C. Blobe Loss of Betaglycan Expression in Ovarian Cancer: Role in Motility and Invasion Cancer Res., June 1, 2007; 67(11): 5231 - 5238. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Itman, S. Mendis, B. Barakat, and K. L. Loveland All in the family: TGF-{beta} family action in testis development. Reproduction, August 1, 2006; 132(2): 233 - 246. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. Boerboom, M. Paquet, M. Hsieh, J. Liu, S. P. Jamin, R. R. Behringer, J. Sirois, M. M. Taketo, and J. S. Richards Misregulated Wnt/{beta}-Catenin Signaling Leads to Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumor Development Cancer Res., October 15, 2005; 65(20): 9206 - 9215. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |