Phylogenomic analyses reveal the evolutionary origin of the inhibin alpha-subunit, a unique TGFbeta superfamily antagonist.

ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) homologues form a diverse superfamily that arose early in animal evolution and control cellular function through membrane-spanning, conserved serine-threonine kinases (RII and RI receptors). Activin and inhibin are related dimers within the TGFbeta superfamily that share a common beta-subunit. The evolution of the inhibin alpha-subunit created the only antagonist within the TGFbeta superfamily and the only member known to act as an endocrine hormone. This hormone introduced a new level of complexity and control to vertebrate reproductive function. The novel functions of the inhibin alpha-subunit appear to reflect specific insertion-deletion changes within the inhibin beta-subunit that occurred during evolution. Using phylogenomic analysis, we corre

SUBMITTER: Zhu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2832003 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature