TGFBR3L is an inhibin B co-receptor that regulates female fertility.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 34910520.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.abl4391 and PMC identifier 8673766.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC.
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Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a key regulator of ovarian function, is often used in infertility treatment. Gonadal inhibins suppress FSH synthesis by pituitary gonadotrope cells. The TGFβ type III receptor, betaglycan, is required for inhibin A suppression of FSH. The inhibin B co-receptor was previously unknown. Here, we report that the gonadotrope-restricted transmembrane protein, TGFBR3L, is the elusive inhibin B co-receptor. TGFBR3L binds inhibin B but not other TGFβ family ligands. TGFBR3L knockdown or overexpression abrogates or confers inhibin B activity in cells. Female <i>Tgfbr3l</i> knockout mice exhibit increased FSH levels, ovarian follicle development, and litter sizes. In contrast, female mice lacking both TGFBR3L and betaglycan are infertile. TGFBR3L’s function and cell-specific expression make it an attractive new target for the regulation of FSH and fertility.