GROWTH-HORMONE RECEPTOR AND BINDING-PROTEIN - DISTRIBUTION AND FUNCTION

Whilst the molecular basis for GH action remains unclear, increasingly our understanding of the critical role(s) played by the GHR and GHBP is being aided by studies on the structural forms of the GHR and GHBP, the specific mechanisms for GHBP generation, their specific cellular distribution and localization, and the nature and consequences of thei r independent physiological regulation. What is emerging as a result i s a multi-functional model for GH action in which the GHBP, in additio n to the cell membrane GHR, would appear to have an important role as an endocrine, autocrine/paracrine and possibly intracrine factor.