The growth hormone axis: control and effects.
Many important advances in our understanding of the growth hormone (GH) axis have occurred during the last decade. A number of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides are implicated in the control of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin release; however, the role of many of these, such as serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid and dopamine, is still a matter of discussion. As a newly isolated hypothalamic peptide with a possible role in the control of GH secretion, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide has received considerable attention. Synthetic hexapeptides that stimulate GH release (GH-releasing peptides 1, 2 and 6) have been identified. Pituitary-specific transcription factors involved in the expression of the GH gene have been identified, the GHRH receptor gene has been cloned, as well as a number of somatostatin receptor genes, and advances in our understanding of the insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins, and growth hormone-binding proteins have been made.
Argente
J
J
Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain.
Pozo
J
J
Chowen
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology
D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin; D014157:Transcription Factors; D013006:Growth Hormone