Recombinant human GHRH protein

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

The growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) sometimes called somatoliberin is a hypothalamic peptide hormone with a molecular weight of approximately 5 kDa. It is expressed mainly in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. GHRH stimulates the synthesis and release of growth hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary by binding to the GHRH receptor which is a G-protein-coupled receptor. This interaction prompts the pituitary to secrete growth hormone which is important for growth and metabolic processes in the body.

Biological function summary

Growth hormone-releasing hormone plays a critical role in the regulation of growth hormone which affects growth metabolism and cell repair. GHRH does not function as part of a larger complex but acts directly to influence the pituitary gland. The hormone's activities extend beyond growth regulation to impact metabolic processes including lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Its release influences overall energy balance and body composition impacting muscle and fat tissue growth.

Pathways

GHRH is a major part of the growth hormone axis working in the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic pathway. This axis involves the regulation of growth hormone release and subsequent insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) production in the liver which promotes growth and development. GHRH functions interact closely with other hypothalamic hormones like somatostatin which inhibits growth hormone release to maintain a balance of hormonal activities necessary for appropriate somatic growth.

The dysregulation of GHRH affects conditions such as acromegaly and growth hormone deficiency. Elevated levels of GHRH often due to tumors cause excessive growth hormone secretion resulting in acromegaly characterized by abnormal growth of hands feet and facial features. Reduced GHRH secretion leads to growth hormone deficiency impairing growth in children and influencing metabolism in adults. In these conditions alterations in the interactions among GHRH growth hormone and IGF-1 play an important role in the disease pathology.