Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion
06:36

A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion

Published on: April 24, 2015

Activins and inhibins in endocrine and other tumors

G P Risbridger1, J F Schmitt, D M Robertson

  • 1Centre for Urological Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia. gail.risbridger@med.monash.edu.au

Endocrine Reviews
|December 12, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Inhibins and activins, TGF-beta factors, show tumor suppressor roles in endocrine cancers. Evidence varies between human and mouse studies and tumor types, requiring further research.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Inhibins and activins are TGF-beta superfamily members regulating FSH.
  • The inhibin alpha subunit is implicated as a tumor suppressor.
  • These factors have diverse roles across multiple tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence on the inhibin alpha subunit as a tumor suppressor in endocrine cancers.
  • To examine the tumor-suppressive role of the activin-signaling pathway.
  • To identify organ-specific differences in these pathways within endocrine tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of functional and molecular evidence.
  • Analysis of studies on transgenic mouse models.
  • Comparative evaluation of human and mouse data.

Main Results:

  • Discrepant results exist between human and mouse studies regarding inhibin alpha subunit's tumor suppressor role.
  • Evidence suggests the activin-signaling pathway may also be tumor suppressive.
  • Organ-specific differences in pathway actions and roles in endocrine tumors were identified.

Conclusions:

  • Substantial evidence supports roles for inhibins and activins in endocrine tumors.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms in cancer initiation, promotion, and progression.
  • Understanding these pathways is crucial for endocrine cancer research.

More Related Videos

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice07:02

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

Published on: August 23, 2019

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports07:44

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports

Published on: November 28, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Endocrine Signaling01:45

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
Endocrine Signaling01:45

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Hormones of the Pituitary Gland01:27

Hormones of the Pituitary Gland

The small, pea-sized pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. It is crucial in regulating various bodily functions, from growth to reproduction. The gland is divided into the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The secretory cell clusters in the pars distalis of the anterior pituitary lobe are controlled by hypothalamic regulators and synthesize six primary hormones.
The most abundantly secreted hormone from the anterior lobe is the growth hormone, which controls overall growth by...