Inhibins

Literature References: Gonadal polypeptide hormones produced by Sertoli cells in males and granulosa cells in females, which selectively inhibits the secretion of FSH, q.v. Dimer, mol wt 32,000 Da, isolated in two isoforms, inhibin A and inhibin B, which have the same a subunit linked to similar but distinct b subunits. Dimers of the b subunits have been isolated which stimulate the secretion of FSH, see activins. Name "inhibin" coined upon identification as a water-soluble, testicular factor with pituitary inhibitory activity: D. R. McCullagh, Science 76, 19 (1932). Specific inhibition of FSH: H. F. Klinefelter et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. 2, 615 (1942); B. P. Setchell, F. Jacks, J. Endocrinol. 62, 675 (1974). Identification in ovarian follicular fluid: F. H. de Jong, R. M. Sharpe, Nature 263, 71 (1976); N. B. Schwartz, C. P. Channing, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 74, 5721 (1977). Localization of production to Sertoli cells: A. Steinberger, E. Steinberger, Endocrinology 99, 918 (1976); to granulosa cells: G. F. Erickson, A. J. W. Hsueh, ibid. 103, 1960 (1978). Immunohistochemical confirmation of production sites: P. Cuevas et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 142, 23 (1987). Identification of inhibin-like proteins from human seminal plasma: N. G. Seidah et al., FEBS Lett. 175, 349 (1984); C. H. Li et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82, 4041 (1985). Isolation of inhibins and higher mol wt precursors: K. Miyamoto et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 129, 396 (1985). Purification and characterization of inhibins A and B: J. Rivier et al., ibid. 133, 120 (1985); N. Ling et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82, 7217 (1985). Each subunit is synthesized as a larger precursor molecule, then processed to the mature form. Complete amino acid sequence of mature form a, bA and bB subunits: A. J. Mason et al., Nature 318, 659 (1985); A. J. Mason et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 135, 957 (1986). Demonstration of negative feedback mechanism between secretion of FSH and inhibin: S.-Y. Ying et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 4631 (1987). Proposed nomenclature: H. G. Burger, J. Endocrinol. 117, 159 (1988). Approach to nonradiometric assays: R. Schwall et al., Prog. Clin. Biol. Res. 285, 205 (1988). Review of early bioassays: B. Hudson et al., J. Reprod. Fertil. Suppl. 26, 17-29 (1979). Reviews of purification and physiology: C. P. Channing et al., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 178, 339-361 (1985); F. H. de Jong, D. M. Robertson, Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 42, 95-103 (1985). Review of possible use as contraceptive: A. R. Sheth, S. B. Moodbidri, Adv. Contracept. 2, 131-139 (1986); P. Franchimont, Male Contraception: Advances and Future Prospects, G. I. Zatuchni et al., Eds. (Harper & Row, Philadelphia, 1986) pp 408-418. Reviews: F. H. de Jong, Oxford Rev. Reprod. Biol. 9, 1-53 (1987); N. Ling et al., Vitam. Horm. (New York) 44, 1-46 (1988).