Prolactin and growth hormone: molecular heterogeneity and measurement in serum.
The pituitary hormones prolactin and growth hormone are related single-chain polypeptides. Both hormones exist in the circulation in several molecular forms, and this heterogeneity may account for some of the complex and sometimes contradictory actions, in vivo and in vitro, of both hormones. It may also lead to problems with quantitation by immunoassays and discrepancies between the results given by assays using different antibodies. Modified forms of the hormones may have markedly different activity in bioassays from that of the parent hormone, but the clinical significance of this is unclear. In this review we summarize what is known about the molecular heterogeneity of the hormones and briefly discuss the implications for clinical biochemists.
Smith
C R
CR
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King's College School of Medicine, Denmark Hill, London, UK.
Norman
M R
MR
D014644:Genetic Variation; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D005810:Multigene Family; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational
D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone