Growth Hormone Flashcards
Wk 6
What is the structure of GH?
191 amino acids in a straight-chained polypeptide.
2 internal disulfide bridges
What is GH closely related to and why?
prolactin- they have a common stem cell
What is GH synthesised by?
somatotrophs (acidophilic cells)
which cell type is the largest of the anterior pituitary?
somatotrophs
Where is GH expressed?
outside of the pituitary gland: brain, immune cells, reproductive tract and GIS
What receptor family does GH receptor belong to and what signal pathway does this connect it to?
Member of cytokine-GH-PRL-erythropoietin family
Linked to JAK-STAT signalling pathway
What type of hormone does GH function as in adults?
A metabolic hormone
Describe the impact of GH on Growth
GH causes growth of all tissues.
Increased: size of cells, mitosis and differentiation of cells
What are the metabolic effects of GH?
Increased rate of protein synthesis
* Increased mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue
* Increased free fatty acids in the blood
* Increased use of fatty acids for energy
* Decreased rate of glucose utilization throughout the body
Due to its effects on protein metabolism- what does GH cause the increase of?
lean body mass and increased organ size
What is the role of IGF-1
Mediates GH Protein anabolism
What is the role of GH on protein metabolism?
Increases uptake of amino acids and stimulates synthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins
Reduces protein oxidation
What does GH do in adipocytes?
Inhibits differentiation, reduces triglyceride accumulation and stimulates lipolysis and fat oxidation
What is the impact of GH administration on fat metabolism?
serum fatty acid levels rise = more fats used for energy production
What is ketosis?
excess mobilization of fat
When is the action of fat metabolism important?
during a fasted state when Gh is enhanced = partitioning of fuel utilisation towards fat
What does GH cause in carbohydrate metabolism?
insulin resistance and decreased glucose uptake and utilization by the target.
What is needed for correct pancreatic function and insulin secretion
normal levels of GH
What does excessive insulin secretion from excessive GH cause?
damage to pancreatic beta cells
What is needed for the growth-promoting action of growth hormone?
Adequate insulin activity
Adequate availability of carbohydrates
How are bones formed via GH?
- GH targets chondrocytes that are cartilage-forming cells that generate cartilage matrix
that subsequently becomes calcified - Osteoblasts migrate into the calcified matrix resulting in bone formation
How does GH exert its growth pormoting effects?
via peptide mediators: Insulin-like growth factors or somatomedins
Where are IGF’s produced?
in the liver, Cartlidge and most GH taret cells
what does IGF’s do?
Mediate GH action on Cartlidge and bone growth
Regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation and metabolism
What are the two types of IGF?
IGF-I and IGF II
What is IGF-II essential to?
embryonic development
GH is a trophic hormone- what does it stimulate?
The secretion of IGF-1
What are the main roles of IGF-1?
Skeletal and Cartlidge growth
Acts on target via IGF receptor
Mediates growth-promoting effects of GH
what are the receptors of IGF-II?
Mannose-6 phosphate cell surface, glycoprotein receptors
IGF2 can also bind to different signaling receptors, such as the IGF-1 type 1 receptor (IGF1R) and the insulin receptor, but with
lower affinity
Where is IGF-II expressed?
in early embryonic and foetal development in a wide variety of somatic tissues.
what are the functions of IGF-II
Fetal growth
Crucial factor of cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival regulation.
Growth promoting function during embryonic development and placental growth
why is it difficult to attribute specific roles of growth hormone for biological effects? (direct actions)
it uses a signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) to induce IGF for most direct actions.
What are the indirect effects on growth by GH?
Promotes growth of bones and visceral organs
It’s administration increases skeletal and visceral growth
Increased Cartlidge growth, long bone length and periosteal growth
Most mediated by IGF-1
What is the nature of GH secretion?
episodic and exhibits a diurnal (daily) rhythm. 2/3 produced at night time
what are the primary controllers of GH regulation
Hypothalamic factors: GHRH and GHIH