| Type: | Family | Name: | Inhibin, alpha subunit |
| Description: | Inhibins and activins are glycoproteins, secreted by the gonads, that belong to the transforming growth factor beta family []. They participate in differentiation and growth of diverse cell types. Inhibin inhibits secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone by the pituitary []. Inhibin has two isoforms, A and B, with the same alpha subunit but different beta subunits. Inhibin A is a dimer of alpha and beta A subunits, inhibin B is a dimer of alpha and beta B subunits. Activin A is a dimer of beta A subunits, activin AB is a dimer of beta A and beta B chains. Follistatin is bound to inhibin and activin and indirectly modulates the FSH release. In turn, FSH stimulates inhibin gene expression in the ovarian follicle [], probably mediated by cAMP []. The serum levels of inhibin, activin, and follistatin are elevated in pregnant women and decrease after delivery []. Genes coding for mouse activin beta C and beta E are closely linked and exhibit a liver-specific expression pattern in adult tissues. | Short Name: | Inhibin_asu |
