RGD Reference Report - Expression of the inhibin/activin subunits (-alpha, -betaA and -betaB) in normal and carcinogenic endometrial tissue: possible immunohistochemical differentiation markers. - Rat Genome Database

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Expression of the inhibin/activin subunits (-alpha, -betaA and -betaB) in normal and carcinogenic endometrial tissue: possible immunohistochemical differentiation markers.

Authors: Worbs, S  Shabani, N  Mayr, D  Gingelmaier, A  Makrigiannakis, A  Kuhn, C  Jeschke, U  Kupka, MS  Friese, K  Mylonas, I 
Citation: Worbs S, etal., Oncol Rep. 2007 Jan;17(1):97-104.
RGD ID: 2290368
Pubmed: PMID:17143484   (View Abstract at PubMed)

Inhibins (INH) are dimeric glycoproteins, composed of an alpha-subunit (INH-alpha) and one of two possible beta-subunits (INH-betaA or -betaB), with substantial roles in human reproduction and in endocrine-responsive tumors. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency and tissue distribution of INH-alpha, -betaA and -betaB in normal and malignant endometria. Samples were obtained from normal (n=46), atrophic (n=8) and endometrioid carcinoma tissue (EC; G1=93; G2=32; G3=14). INH-alpha was significantly higher in normal compared to malignant endometrial tissue, showing a cyclical variation throughout the menstrual cycle. EC G3 did not express this subunit. INH-betaA and -betaB showed specific staining reactions within the tumor cells. The highest intensity of INH-betaA was observed in the normal secretory phase compared to adenocarcinomas (p<0.05). For INH-betaB, the significantly highest expression was noted in EC G3 compared to EC G2 (p<0.05) and atrophic endometrial tissue. In conclusion, INH-alpha, -betaA and -betaB were immunolabeled in normal and malignant endometria. INH-alpha was expressed in a declining relationship in the transition from normal to tumor tissue, suggesting a tumor suppressive function in EC. A high expression of INH-betaB was observed in EC G3 compared to G2, suggesting an important role in the progression of endometrial carcinogenesis. However, the utilization of these subunits as specific tumor markers still remains unclear.

RGD Manual Disease Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
Endometrioid Carcinomas  IEP 2290368protein:decreased expression:tumor:significantly higher in normal compared to malignant tissueRGD 
Endometrioid Carcinomas  ISORGd:7367272290368; 2290368 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Inha  (inhibin subunit alpha)

Genes (Mus musculus)
Inha  (inhibin alpha)

Genes (Homo sapiens)
INHA  (inhibin subunit alpha)


Additional Information