Plasma Sex Steroid-Binding Protein and Puberty in Males

近年来，人们发现哺乳动物血液中的大多数（如果不是全部的话）激素分子都与特定的分子结合在一起。这些蛋白质中的许多被称为结合蛋白，对单一激素或一组相关激素具有高度特异性或选择性。因此，越来越清楚的是，这些激素结合蛋白比想象的要普遍和广泛得多。除了为特定的激素携带特定的蛋白质外，人们相信它们还有比单纯运输更重要的功能。我们正在研究一种针对性类固醇激素的特异性结合蛋白，即性类固醇结合蛋白（sex steroids -binding protein， SBP）。这种蛋白质在青春期、怀孕期和季节性活动的重新激活等生殖重要时期的浓度会大幅增加。拟议研究的目的是纯化这种蛋白质，以便对其进行标记并给予发育期动物，以确定1)蛋白质在此期间的去向(例如，这种蛋白质是否离开循环并集中在性类固醇激素的目标组织中？)2)在青春期过程中，这种蛋白质在激素类固醇的重要作用中可能起什么作用。//

In recent years it has been discovered that most, if not all, hormone molecules in the blood of mammals are bound to particular molecules. Many of these proteins, called binding proteins, are highly specific or selective for single hormone or a group of related hormones. Thus, it is becoming clear that these hormone binding proteins are much more common and widespread than imagined. Apart from carrying their particular proteins for particular hormones, it is believed that they serve more important functions than transport alone. We are studying a binding protein which is specific for the sex steroid hormones, namely sex steroid-binding protein (SBP). This protein undergoes large increases in concentration during the reproductively important periods of puberty, pregnancy, and reactivation of seasonal activity. The purpose of the proposed study is to purify this protein so that it can be labeled and administered to pubertal animals in order to determine 1) where the protein goes during this period (e.g., does this protein leave the circulation and become concentrated in the target tissues of sex steroid hormones?) and 2) what role this protein may play in the important actions of hormonal steroids during the pubertal process. //