Overview of follicle stimulating hormone and its receptors in reproduction and in stem cells and cancer stem cells

Int J Biol Sci. 2022 Jan 1;18(2):675-692. doi: 10.7150/ijbs.63721. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and its receptor (FSHR) have been reported to be responsible for several physiological functions and cancers. The responsiveness of stem cells and cancer stem cells towards the FSH-FSHR system make the function of FSH and its receptors more interesting in the context of cancer biology. This review is comprised of comprehensive information on FSH-FSHR signaling in normal physiology, gonadal stem cells, cancer cells, and potential options of utilizing FSH-FSHR system as an anti-cancer therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / metabolism*
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Receptors, FSH / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, FSH / metabolism*
  • Reproduction / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Receptors, FSH
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone