Antagonism of activin by inhibin and inhibin receptors: a functional role for betaglycan-glycan

Activin and inhibin research has provided important insight into reproducti ve physiology as well as many areas involving regulation of cell growth, di fferentiation and function. Progress in understanding the roles of these ho rmones in various cell and tissue types has been complimented by novel disc overies at the molecular level that have shed light on ligand/receptor inte ractions. signaling mechanisms and regulation. While the receptors and sign aling pathway for activin are now well characterized. the molecular basis f or inhibin action has remained relatively unclear. Here we summarize recent advances in understanding inhibin's mode of action focusing on our recent identification of betaglycan-glycan as an inhibin co-receptor capable of me diating inhibin action. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights r eserved.