Activin A

Activin A
Activin A is a cytokine that belongs to the member of the transforming growth factor-beta
super family, it is expressed locally by mesenchymal component within hemopoietic microenvironment.
Activin A expression is regulated my many cytokines and there are also a
number of inhibitory molecules that are essential in order to regulate the biological activity of
this protein.
Activins and inhibins have a major role in regulating and modulating the growth and
differentiation for large number of cells. They have opposing effects where activins are
responsible for activation and inhibins function in inhibiting the secretion of follitropin by the
pituitary gland. Some of the major functions these two regulators are important in include:
embryonic axial development, insulin secretion, erythroid differentiation, germ cell
development, hypothalamic hormone secretion, nerve cell survival, bone growth, pituitary
hormone secretion and gonadal hormone secretion.
For more information: http://www.elisakits.co.uk/activin-a-elisa-kit/