The understanding of the mechanisms of growth hormone (GH) action has seen great accomplishments over the last two decades. These achievements include the cloning of a variety of GH and GH receptor (GHR) genes and cDNAs; solving of the three-dimensional structure of GH and the GH/GHR complex, and the discovery of GH antagonists. These GH antagonists have resulted in a new class of drugs with important clinical implications. Animal models in which the GH/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I axis has been perturbed also have resulted in many novel findings. We have now entered the era of genomics and proteomics. Genes and proteins that are up- or downregulated as a function of GH action (or lack thereof) will add to the repertoire of knowledge that will lead to a better understanding of the molecular basis of GH action.
Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel