Growth Hormone Gene Family and Its Evolution

Abstract

In this review, we will analyze the family of growth hormone (GH) genes, the territories where they are produced, the proteolytic generation of GH isoforms, both at the pituitary and tissue levels, the biological activity of these molecular forms, and we will describe the new variant GH-V2 and its effects biological. Finally, we will analyze the evolution of the hormone from its starting point with a common gene with PRL to its actions in the most evolved organisms as a true prohormone.

Non-pituitary GH regulation of the tissue microenvironment

“…More than simply a pituitary growth factor acting mostly by inducing IGF1, we now recognize GH as a multifunctional hormone involved in complex tissue-and cell-specific actions shaping the tissue microenvironment. From an evolutionary point of view, the fact that the GH gene evolved from a common GH-PRL gene by multiple duplications and conversion may allow other actions reflecting changes in GH functions in addition to its basic growth-promoting effects (Wallis 1997, Devesa & Devesa 2023.…”