Analysis of growth hormone isoform profiles in human plasma using proteomics strategies

Project Title: Analysis of growth hormone isoform profiles in human plasma using proteomics strategies

Researchers: M. Thevis (German Sport University, Cologne, Germany), A. Tonevitsky (Russian Research Institute, Moscow, Russia), W. Schänzer (German Sport University, Cologne, Germany)

Year accepted: 2006

Summary: The abuse of GH in sports has been a serious issue since years, and first assays enabling the discrimination between natural isoforms and recombinant GH have been established using a so-called differential immunoassay approach. More detailed information on GH isoforms used for the determination of GH administration is obtained using proteomics approaches employing 2D gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometric identification and characterization of GH and its fragments. In order to provide fundamental information for new methods complementing the commonly accepted assay and to provide basics for another option to cope with the problem of GH misuse, which includes administration of recombinant GH as well as gene therapy, GH isoforms shall be isolated of from human plasma followed by 2D gel electrophoresis, visualization, and subsequent mass spectrometric identification. Using this strategy, GH isoforms can be considered individually in terms of a profile, and more information on the variability and stability of single items is obtained. Owing to the well known fact that endogenously produced GH is down-regulated upon GH administration, the considerable change in GH isoform profiles should be detected using proteomics technology. Moreover, the fact that future GH gene therapy may include cells different from the pituitary, significantly different isoform profiles are possible and should principally be detectable employing the technology established in this project.