FST

FST, or follicle suppressor, is a secreted protein secreted by various tissues and organs, and was initially found in ovarian follicular fluid.
The mechanism of action of FST is mainly to regulate hormone levels and muscle growth and adipose tissue differentiation by binding specifically to members of the TGF-β superfamily, such as Activin A and Myostatin, and preventing the binding of these ligands to the receptor complexes. FST is also involved in the regulation of sex hormone secretion, promotion of oocyte maturation and embryonic development, and influencing energy metabolism and proliferation and differentiation of muscle and adipose tissue. FST is also involved in the regulation of brown adipose differentiation and white adipose browning, which is of great significance for the study of metabolic tissues.
Aberrant FST expression is associated with a variety of diseases and is a potential therapeutic target, especially in reproductive and muscle-related diseases.