Abstract
Conclusions
The recognition of circulating GHBP has added a new element of complexity to the GH-IGF axis. At the same time, it has facilitated investigation of that axis. The nature of the high-affinity GHBP as a “circulating receptor“, is particularly intriguing. This property has been useful for probing the GH receptor in humans, in whom direct receptor measurements are difficult. The high-affinity GHBP is positively linked, directly or indirectly, to the growth-promoting action of GH. Little is known about the significance of the low-affinity GHBP. The ultimate physiologic role of GHBP still remains to be defined. The development of simple and reliable assays for GHBP (46, 50, 116) that can be applied on a routine basis should facilitate the rapid accumulation of new knowledge in this field.
This work was supported in part by NIH Grant DK 38128 and by a grant from the Northwestern Memorial Foundation.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.