Activins and their receptors in female reproduction

Authors
Citation
C. Peng et St. Mukai, Activins and their receptors in female reproduction, BIOC CELL B, 78(3), 2000, pp. 261-279
Citations number
262
Categorie Soggetti
Cell & Developmental Biology
Journal title
BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY-BIOCHIMIE ET BIOLOGIE CELLULAIRE
ISSN journal
08298211 → ACNP
Volume
78
Issue
3
Year of publication
2000
Pages
261 - 279
Database
ISI
SICI code
0829-8211(2000)78:3<261:AATRIF>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
Activins are growth and differentiation factors belonging to the transformi ng growth factor-beta superfamily. They are dimeric proteins consisting of two inhibin beta subunits. The structure of activins is highly conserved du ring vertebrate evolution. Activins signal through type I and type II recep tor proteins, both of which are serine/threonine kinases. Subsequently, dow nstream signals such as Smad proteins are phosphorylated. Activins and thei r receptors are present in many tissues of mammals and lower vertebrates wh ere they function as autocrine and (or) paracrine regulators of a variety o f physiological processes, including reproduction. In the hypothalamus, act ivins are thought to stimulate the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormon e. In the pituitary, activins increase follicle-stimulating hormone secreti on and up-regulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor expression. In t he ovaries of vertebrates, activins are expressed predominantly in the foll icular layer of the oocyte where they regulate processes such as folliculog enesis, steroid hormone production, and oocyte maturation. During pregnancy , activin-A is also involved in the regulation of placental functions. This review provides a brief overview of activins and their receptors, includin g their structures, expression, and functions in the female reproductive ax is as well as in the placenta. Special effort is made to compare activins a nd their receptors in different vertebrates.