European Journal of Endocrinology (2002) 146 573–581 ISSN 0804-4643 EXPERIMENTAL STUDY Effect of different growth hormone (GH) mutants on the regulation of GH-receptor gene transcription in a human hepatoma cell line Johnny Deladoe¨y, Gre´goire Gex, Jean-Marc Vuissoz, Christian J Strasburger1, Michael P Wajnrajch2 and Primus E Mullis Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland, 1Medizinische Klinik-Innenstadt, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universita¨t, Munich, Germany and 2 Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA (Correspondence should be addressed to Primus E Mullis, University Children’s Hospital, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; Email:
[email protected]) Abstract Objective: G to A transition at position 6664 of the growth hormone (GH-1 ) gene results in the substitution of Arg183 by His (R183H) in the GH protein and causes a new form of autosomal dominant isolated GH deficiency (IGHD type II). The aim of this study was to assess the bioactivity of this R183H mutant GH in comparison with both other GH variants and the 22-kDa GH in terms of GH-receptor gene regulation. Design and Methods: The regulation of the GH-receptor gene (GH-receptor/GH binding protein, GHR/GHBP) transcription following the addition of variable concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, 50 and 500 ng/ml) of R183H mutant GH was studied in a human hepatoma cell line (HuH7) cultured in a serum-free hormonally defined medium. In addition, identical experiments were performed using either recombinant human GH (22-kDa GH) as a positive control or two GH-receptor antagonists (R77C mutant GH and pegvisomant (B-2036-PEG)) as negative controls.