Inhibin and Activin are peptides structurally related to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of proteins that binds to transmembrane receptor proteins with serine threonine kinase activity and the interacting proteins like SMAD2, 3 and 4. Inhibins are heterodimeric glycoproteins composed of an α-subunit and one of several forms of β-subunits (e.g. βA or βB), resulting in biologically active forms termed inhibin A and inhibin B. Inhibin is a gonadal hormone capable of preferential suppression of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion. The major form of this hormone, inhibin is an alpha beta heterodimer encoded by two separate genes. In contrast to the alpha/beta heterodimer of inhibin, the beta beta homodimer stimulate FSH secretion. There exist a closed-loop feedback axis between Luteinizing hormone secreting pituitary cells and gonadol-androgen producing cells which is modulated by inhibin. It has been shown that FSH stimulation of inhibin biosynthesis by ovarian granulosa and testis Sertoli cells, an additional closed-loop feedback axis exists between pituitary FSH- and gonadal inhibin-producing cells (1). The expression of Inhibin was found in gonadal and extragonadal tissues, mainly the alfa, alfa/beta and beta/beta subunit were expressed in ovary, testis, placenta, pituitary, adrenal, bone marrow, kidney, spinal cord and brain (2). The expression of inhibin subunit may vary by several fold in a tissue specific manner. The alfa subunit levels are higher in gonads while the beta subunits are abundant in bone marrow and placenta (2). In testis the alfa subunit decrease with maturation suggesting the dimmers play some role in spermatogenesis, maturation and development of testis. The current literature suggests that activin and inhibin function also as local autocrine/paracrine regulators in the gonads.
Inhibin, a dimeric 32 kDa peptide hormone composed of an α subunit and a β subunit and is produced by ovarian granulosa and theca cells. The alpha chain is a 366 amino acid protein which is conserved in several species. Inhibin is used as a marker for diagnosis of Sarcomatoid adult granulosa cell tumor, it is believed to be a better marker than calretinin and is routinely used for diagnostic purposes (3).
The Anti-Inhibin-selective antibodies (Inbn) were generated against two peptides from a conserved sequence from the inhibin alfa subunit chain, these peptide sequences were common in rat, mouse and human protein. The inhibin-selective antibodies are affinity purified against immobilized antigen based affinity chromatography which yielded epitope-specific antibodies. The Inhibin antibodies label a 44kDa and a 32kDa protein in Western blot using Western blot positive control for Inhibin (PC-Inbn). Anti-Inhibin-selective antibodies are also available in affinity-purified form for confocal, Western blotting and immunocytochemical analyses. FabGennix Inc. will also conjugate antibodies with fluorescent probes upon request at extra charge. Limited quantities of antigenic blocking peptides are also available (inquire before ordering). FabGennix Inc employs cyclic peptide methodology for generating antibodies, which results in higher titer and specificity (4). FabGennix Int. Inc., will also provide Western blot positive controls for most of its antibodies in ready-to-use buffer for easy identification of respective proteins. Limited quantities of antigens are also available for blocking studies. Please enquire for their availability before ordering.
For research use only, not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.
Data Sheets
Inhibin alfa
MSDS
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