Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Optimized Interferon-gamma ELISpot Assay to Measure T Cell Responses in the Guinea Pig Model after Vaccination
Published on: January 20, 2019
Molecular evolution of growth hormone and receptor in the guinea-pig, a mammal unresponsive to growth hormone
R M Adkins1, J Vandeberg, W H Li
1Biology Department, 219 Morrill Science Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
Abstract:
Growth in the guinea-pig is completely unresponsive to endogenous or exogenous growth hormone, despite the fact that the guinea-pig produces normal to high levels of growth hormone and receptor. In primates and artiodactyls, growth hormone exhibits accelerated rates of evolution that appear to be correlated with changes in function. Surprisingly, both guinea-pig growth hormone and receptor exhibit slow rates of evolution similar to those seen in other mammals, implying that both proteins are as functionally conserved in the guinea-pig as in other mammals or that any loss or relaxation of functional constraint was very recent. However, the guinea-pig growth hormone and receptor both exhibit a single amino acid replacement at a site known to have functional significance. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether the aberrant nature of the guinea-pig growth hormone-growth hormone receptor axis is due to these replacements or whether it is due to a defect in post-receptor signalling.
Related Concept Videos
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
TGF - β Signaling Pathway

