INHA polyclonal antibody

Inhibin is a gonadal protein that preferentially suppresses the secretion of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Inhibin comprises two subunits, Inhibin A and Inhibin B. Each subunit consists of the same α subunit, covalently linked to 1 of 2 distinct subunits, β-α or β-β. Originally isolated from ovarian follicular fluid and characterized as a disulphide-linked dimeric glycoprotein, inhibin belongs to the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily of growth and differentiation factors. TGFβ proteins affect a range of tissues and systems beyond their role in reproduction. In addition to their role in endocrine feedback in the reproductive sytem, inhibins subserve local regulatory roles in numerous extragonadal tissues, including brain, adrenal, bone marrow, placenta and, most notably, anterior pituitary. Inhibin α-subunit gene expression is down regulated in human prostate cancer, suggesting a tumor-suppressive role. The human Inhibin α gene maps to chromosome 2q33-q36.