title: Extrapituitary growth hormone synthesis in humans.
abstract: The gene for pituitary growth hormone (GH-N) in man belongs to a multigene locus located at chromosome 17q24.2, which also harbors four additional genes: one for a placental variant of GH-N (named GH-V) and three of chorionic somatommamotropin (CSH) type. Their tandem arrangement from 5' to 3' is: GH-N, CSH-L, CSH-1, GH-V and CSH-2. GH-N is mainly expressed in the pituitary from birth throughout life, while the remaining genes are expressed in the placenta of pregnant women. Pituitary somatotrophs secrete GH into the bloodstream to act at receptor sites in most tissues. GH participates in the regulation of several complex physiological processes, including growth and metabolism. Recently, the presence of GH has been described in several extrapituitary sites, such as neural, ocular, reproductive, immune, cardiovascular, muscular, dermal and skeletal tissues. It has been proposed that GH has an autocrine action in these tissues. While the body of evidence for its presence is constantly growing, research of its possible function and implications lag behind. In this review we highlight the evidence of extrapituitary synthesis of GH in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Monterrey 64630, Mexico.
authors.forename: Diana Cristina
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Pérez-Ibave
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Monterrey 64630, Mexico.
authors.forename: Iram Pablo
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Monterrey 64630, Mexico.
authors.forename: María de Lourdes
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Garza-Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Monterrey 64630, Mexico; Vitaxentrum, Blvd. Puerta del Sol 1005, Colinas de San Jerónimo, Monterrey, Nuevo León, 64460 Mexico. Electronic address: habarrera@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hugo Alberto
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Barrera-Saldaña
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005835:Genitalia / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone
keywords: Chorionic somatomammotropin hormone (CSH); Growth hormone (GH); Growth hormone receptor (GHR); Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH); Insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1)