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Related Concept Videos

Major Hormones and Their Functions01:27

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins01:22

Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins

Heterotrimeric G proteins are guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. As the name suggests, heterotrimeric G proteins are composed of three subunits: alpha, beta, and gamma. They remain GDP-bound or GTP-bound inside the cells and switch between inactive/active states. The Gα subunit possesses the nucleotide-binding pocket that binds guanine nucleotides and switches between GDP or GTP-bound states. In contrast, the Gꞵ and Gγ subunits are always bound together with high affinity and are together...
Types of Hormones02:13

Types of Hormones

Hormones can be classified into three main types based on their chemical structures: steroids, peptides, and amines. Their actions are mediated by the specific receptors they bind to on target cells.
Types of Hormones01:21

Types of Hormones

Hormones are classified into four main groups: steroids, eicosanoids, amino acid-based derivatives, and peptide hormones.
Steroids and eicosanoids fall under the category of lipid-soluble hormones. Steroids are derived from cholesterol and feature four interconnected carbon rings with variable side chains. Notable examples include estradiol from ovaries and testosterone from testes, exemplifying the critical roles of these lipid-soluble hormones in reproductive physiology. Eicosanoids, derived...
Hormones of the Pituitary Gland01:27

Hormones of the Pituitary Gland

The small, pea-sized pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. It is crucial in regulating various bodily functions, from growth to reproduction. The gland is divided into the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The secretory cell clusters in the pars distalis of the anterior pituitary lobe are controlled by hypothalamic regulators and synthesize six primary hormones.
The most abundantly secreted hormone from the anterior lobe is the growth hormone, which controls overall growth by...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays
11:17

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays

Published on: January 7, 2016

Growth hormone isoforms.

Gerhard P Baumann1

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA. gbaumann@northwestern.edu

Growth Hormone & IGF Research : Official Journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society
|May 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human growth hormone (GH) exists in various forms due to genetic and metabolic factors. Understanding GH heterogeneity is key for accurate testing and distinguishing between natural and synthetic growth hormone (GH).

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Identification and Characterization of Protein Glycosylation using Specific Endo- and Exoglycosidases
09:54

Identification and Characterization of Protein Glycosylation using Specific Endo- and Exoglycosidases

Published on: December 26, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays
11:17

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays

Published on: January 7, 2016

Identification and Characterization of Protein Glycosylation using Specific Endo- and Exoglycosidases
09:54

Identification and Characterization of Protein Glycosylation using Specific Endo- and Exoglycosidases

Published on: December 26, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Human growth hormone (GH) is a protein hormone with multiple molecular forms (isoforms).
  • GH heterogeneity arises from genomic variations, mRNA splicing, post-translational modifications, and metabolism.
  • The GH gene cluster includes GH-N (pituitary) and GH-V (placental) genes, alongside related chorionic somatomammotropin genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail the sources and characteristics of human growth hormone (GH) heterogeneity.
  • To explore the implications of GH isoforms on bioactivity, metabolism, and assay measurements.
  • To highlight how GH heterogeneity can be leveraged for distinguishing endogenous from exogenous GH.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of genomic, mRNA splicing, and post-translational modification pathways.
  • Characterization of GH isoforms, including 22K-GH, 20K-GH, GH-V, and oligomeric forms.
  • Review of GH secretion patterns (pituitary vs. placental) and metabolic clearance rates.

Main Results:

  • Alternative splicing produces 22K-GH and 20K-GH; post-translational modifications yield acylated, deamidated, glycosylated, and oligomeric GH forms.
  • GH-N is expressed in the pituitary (pulsatile secretion), while GH-V is expressed in the placenta (tonic secretion).
  • Isoforms exhibit minor differences in bioactivity, with delayed clearance for 20K-GH and oligomers; GH isoforms cross-react in immunoassays.

Conclusions:

  • GH heterogeneity significantly impacts assay accuracy and interpretation.
  • Understanding GH isoform characteristics is crucial for clinical diagnostics.
  • GH heterogeneity offers a basis for differentiating endogenous and exogenous growth hormone (GH).