Beta A versus beta B: is it merely a matter of expression?
Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2004 Oct 15;225(1-2):9-17
Authors: Thompson TB, Cook RW, Chapman SC, Jardetzky TS, Woodruff TK
Activins are members of the transforming growth factor (TGF) beta (beta) superfamily of proteins that function in a wide array of physiological processes. Like other TGFbeta ligands, activins are…
Cloning of a novel inhibin alpha cDNA from rhesus monkey testis.
Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2004 Oct 7;2:71
Authors: Bernard DJ, Woodruff TK, Plant TM
BACKGROUND: Inhibins are dimeric gonadal protein hormones that negatively regulate pituitary FSH synthesis and secretion. Inhibin B is produced by testicular Sertoli cells and is the primary circulating form of inhibin in most adult…
Ovarian follicle development requires Smad3.
Mol Endocrinol. 2004 Sep;18(9):2224-40
Authors: Tomic D, Miller KP, Kenny HA, Woodruff TK, Hoyer P, Flaws JA
Smad3 is an important mediator of the TGF beta signaling pathway. Interestingly, Smad3-deficient (Smad3-/-) mice have reduced fertility compared with wild-type (WT) mice. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the reduced fertility in Smad3-/- animals,…
Molecular biology of inhibin action.
Semin Reprod Med. 2004 Aug;22(3):269-76
Authors: Cook RW, Thompson TB, Jardetzky TS, Woodruff TK
Inhibins are dimeric glycoproteins that have primarily been studied for their role in antagonism of activin-mediated release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from gonadotropes of the anterior pituitary. As a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) superfamily of…
Inhibin: actions and signalling.
Growth Factors. 2004 Mar;22(1):13-8
Authors: Phillips DJ, Woodruff TK
Inhibin is best known as a reproductive hormone that inhibits release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland. Over the last decade or so a number of other biological roles have emerged, putting inhibin more in the class of a growth factor. Despite this,…
Follicle-restricted compartmentalization of transforming growth factor beta superfamily ligands in the feline ovary.
Biol Reprod. 2004 Mar;70(3):846-59
Authors: Bristol SK, Woodruff TK
Ovarian follicular development, follicle selection, and the process of ovulation remain poorly understood in most species. Throughout reproductive life, follicle fate is balanced between growth and apoptosis. These opposing forces are controlled by numerous endocrine, paracrine,…