Growth Hormone Binding Protein (GHBP)

Growth Hormone Binding Protein (GHBP) consists of 238 amino acids and includes four sides for glycosylation and three disulfide bounds. In humans GHBP is formed by receptor shedding of the growth hormone receptor by a metalloprotease (ADAM17). In equilibrium about 50% of circulating growth hormone (GH) is bound to GHBP but only 2% of the circulating GHBP bound a GH molecule with a stoichiometry of 1:1. Only in case of supraphysiological GHBP levels a 2:1 ratio appears. The complex of GH and GHBP has an approximate molecular weight of 80 kDa (GHBP 60 kDa). In an animal model (guniea pig) the complex formation increases half-life from 11-20 minutes up to about 100 minutes and in general binding to GHBP inhibits GH cellular action. GHBP Physiology GHBP concentration is independent of GH pulsatility and does not show a circadian rhythm. GHBP levels are low until 2-6 months of life, increase steeply in the first two years and continue to increase slowly until early adulthood. From the the 4th decade the GHBP serum concentration declines slowly. GHBP correlates positively with the intraabdominal fat mass and is increased in type II diabetics with hyperinsulinaemi. It is not known whether the tight relationship between fat mass and circulating GHBP results from GHBP expression in adipocytes or any other mechanism. From a diagnostic point of view undetectable GHBP levels could point to a GH insensitivity, caused by a deletion in the GH-receptor gene. Further, the IGF-I/GHBP ratio might be an indicator for GH-deficiency in adults, in particular in women. It could also be predictive for GH treatment response. The strong positive relationship with intraabdominal fat mass might be a hint, that GHBP is a possible biomarker for the amount of visceral adipose tissue.