Neural growth hormone: an update.
It is now well established that growth hormone (GH) gene expression is not restricted to the pituitary gland and occurs in many extrapituitary tissues, including the central and peripheral nervous systems. Indeed, GH gene expression occurs in the brain prior to its ontogenic appearance in the pituitary gland, and GH may have evolved phylogenetically as a neuropeptide, rather than as an endocrine. Recent studies on the regulation and roles of neural GH in health and disease are the focus of this brief review.
Harvey
Steve
S
Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H7. steve.harvey@ualberta.ca
Hull
Kerry
K
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin / Q000378:metabolism; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism
D009479:Neuropeptides; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin; D013006:Growth Hormone