INHBC
Description
The INHBC (inhibin subunit beta C) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12.
The INHBC gene encodes the beta C chain of inhibin, a member of the TGF-beta superfamily. This subunit forms heterodimers with beta A and beta B subunits. Inhibins and activins, also members of the TGF-beta superfamily, are hormones with opposing actions and are involved in hypothalamic, pituitary, and gonadal hormone secretion, as well as growth and differentiation of various cell types.
Inhibin beta C chain, also known as Activin beta-C chain, plays a crucial role in regulating various biological processes. It forms part of inhibin and activin proteins, which have opposing actions on the secretion of follitropin from the pituitary gland. Inhibins and activins regulate diverse functions including hypothalamic and pituitary hormone secretion, gonadal hormone production, germ cell development and maturation, erythroid differentiation, insulin release, nerve cell survival, embryonic axial development, and bone growth. The specific action depends on the combination of subunits within these proteins. In general, inhibins counter the effects of activins.
INHBC is also known as IHBC.
