MESSENGER-RNAS FOR ACTIVIN AND ACTIVIN RECEPTORS ARE EXPRESSED IN FETAL BOVINE HEART ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

Inhibin and activin, members of transforming growth factor beta (TGF b eta) superfamily, have been localized immunohistochemically in fetal b ovine heart endothelial cells (FBHE), suggesting that these cells prod uce inhibin/activin proteins. In addition, the mRNAs coding for alpha- , and beta A-subunits of inhibin/activin, and activin receptor II were expressed in these cells by in situ hybridization technique. It is co ncluded that inhibin/activin and activin receptor are expressed in FBH E and activin may have autocrine functions in these cells.