Growth Hormone (GH1) Antibody – Mouse Monoclonal

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the somatotropin/prolactin family of hormones which play an important role in growth control. The gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the growth hormone locus on chromosome 17 where they are interspersed in the same transcriptional orientation; an arrangement which is thought to have evolved by a series of gene duplications. The five genes share a remarkably high degree of sequence identity. Alternative splicing generates additional isoforms of each of the five growth hormones, leading to further diversity and potential for specialization. This particular family member is expressed in the pituitary but not in placental tissue as is the case for the other four genes in the growth hormone locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to growth hormone deficiency and short stature. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Function: Plays an important role in growth control. Its major role in stimulating body growth is to stimulate the liver and other tissues to secrete IGF-1. It stimulates both the differentiation and proliferation of myoblasts. It also stimulates amino acid uptake and protein synthesis in muscle and other tissues.

Subunit structure: Monomer, dimer, trimer, tetramer and pentamer, disulfide-linked or non-covalently associated, in homopolymeric and heteropolymeric combinations. Can also form a complex either with GHBP or with the alpha2-macroglobulin complex.

Subcellular location: Secreted.

Involvement in disease: Growth hormone deficiency, isolated, 1A (IGHD1A) [MIM:262400]: An autosomal recessive, severe deficiency of growth hormone leading to dwarfism. Patients often develop antibodies to administered growth hormone.Note: The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry. Ref.22Growth hormone deficiency, isolated, 1B (IGHD1B) [MIM:612781]: An autosomal recessive deficiency of growth hormone leading to short stature. Patients have low but detectable levels of growth hormone, significantly retarded bone age, and a positive response and immunologic tolerance to growth hormone therapy.Note: The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry. Ref.33 Ref.38Kowarski syndrome (KWKS) [MIM:262650]: A syndrome clinically characterized by short stature associated with bioinactive growth hormone, normal or slightly increased growth hormone secretion, pathologically low insulin-like growth factor 1 levels, and normal catch-up growth on growth hormone replacement therapy.Note: The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry. Ref.31 Ref.34 Ref.41Growth hormone deficiency, isolated, 2 (IGHD2) [MIM:173100]: An autosomal dominant deficiency of growth hormone leading to short stature. Clinical severity is variable. Patients have a positive response and immunologic tolerance to growth hormone therapy.Note: The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry. Ref.33 Ref.37

Pharmaceutical use: Available under the names Nutropin or Protropin (Genentech), Norditropin (Novo Nordisk), Genotropin (Pharmacia Upjohn), Humatrope (Eli Lilly) and Saizen or Serostim (Serono). Used for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency and for Turner's syndrome.

Miscellaneous: Circulating GH shows a great heterogeneity due to alternative splicing, differential post-translational modifications of monomeric forms, oligomerization, optional binding to 2 different GH-binding proteins, and potentially proteolytic processing.

Sequence similarities: Belongs to the somatotropin/prolactin family.