Growth Hormone

dry ice

Molecular cell biology / Hormones

Human growth hormone is a plasma protein with a calculated molecular weight of 22.1 kDa. The protein is a member of the somatotropin/prolactin family of hormones, which play an important role in growth control. Its gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the growth hormone locus on chromosome 17 where they are interspersed in the same transcriptional orientation; an arrangement which is thought to have evolved by a series of gene duplications. The five genes share a remarkably high degree of sequence identity. Alternative splicing generates additional isoforms of each of the five growth hormones, leading to further diversity and potential for specialization. This particular family member is expressed in the pituitary but not in placental tissue as is the case for the other four genes in the growth hormone locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to growth hormone deficiency and short stature. This protein is the product of all five exons.