Liu Ying, Zhou Qing, Zou Guoying, Zhang Wenling
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Tongzipo Road 172, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.
Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.
J Physiol Biochem. 2024 Nov;80(4):775-793. doi: 10.1007/s13105-024-01041-y. Epub 2024 Aug 26.
The gene inhibin subunit beta B (INHBB) encodes the inhibin βB subunit, which is involved in forming protein members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. The TGF-β superfamily is extensively involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, movement, metabolism, communication, and death. Activins and inhibins, which belong to the TGF-β superfamily, were first discovered in ovarian follicular fluid. They were initially described as regulators of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion both in vivo and in vitro. Later studies found that INHBB is expressed not only in reproductive organs such as the ovary, uterus, and testis but also in numerous other organs, including the brain, spinal cord, liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands. This wide distribution implies its involvement in the normal physiological functions of various organs; however, the mechanisms underlying these functions have not yet been fully elucidated. Recent studies suggest that INHBB plays a significant, yet complex role in tumorigenesis. It appears to have dual effects, promoting tumor progression in some contexts while inhibiting it in others, although these roles are not yet fully understood. In this paper, we review the different expression patterns, functions, and mechanisms of INHBB in normal and tumor tissues to illustrate the research prospects of INHBB in tumor progression.
抑制素亚基βB（INHBB）基因编码抑制素βB亚基，该亚基参与形成转化生长因子-β（TGF-β）超家族的蛋白质成员。TGF-β超家族广泛参与细胞增殖、分化、黏附、运动、代谢、通讯及死亡过程。激活素和抑制素属于TGF-β超家族，最初在卵巢卵泡液中被发现。它们最初被描述为体内和体外垂体促卵泡激素（FSH）分泌的调节因子。后来的研究发现，INHBB不仅在卵巢、子宫和睾丸等生殖器官中表达，还在包括脑、脊髓、肝脏、肾脏和肾上腺在内的许多其他器官中表达。这种广泛分布表明其参与了各个器官的正常生理功能；然而，这些功能背后的机制尚未完全阐明。最近的研究表明，INHBB在肿瘤发生过程中起着重要但复杂的作用。它似乎具有双重作用，在某些情况下促进肿瘤进展，而在其他情况下抑制肿瘤进展，尽管这些作用尚未完全了解。在本文中，我们综述了INHBB在正常组织和肿瘤组织中的不同表达模式、功能及机制，以阐明INHBB在肿瘤进展方面的研究前景。
