A recombinant fragment of human Inhibin alpha protein (within amino acids 233-362) was used as the immunogen for the Inhibin alpha antibody.
It recognizes a 47kDa protein, which is identified as alpha sub-unit of Inhibin. It is a gonadal protein that preferentially suppresses the secretion of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Inhibin comprises two subunits, Inhibin A and Inhibin B. Each subunit consists of the same Alpha subunit, covalently linked to 1 of 2 distinct subunits, beta-Alpha or beta-beta. Originally isolated from ovarian follicular fluid and characterized as a disulphide-linked dimeric glycoprotein, inhibin belongs to the transforming growth factor beta (TFGbeta) superfamily. Antibodies against Inhibin are useful in making a differentiation between adrenal cortical tumors and renal cell carcinoma. Sex cord stromal tumors of the ovary as well as trophoblastic tumors also demonstrate cytoplasmic positivity. Inhibin antibody is also used to make the differential diagnosis of intra-uterine vs. ectopic pregnancy in endometrial curetting.
