Plasma Sex Steroid-Binding Protein and Puberty in Males

近年来，人们发现，大多数，如果不是全部， 哺乳动物血液中的激素分子 分子。 这些蛋白质中有许多被称为结合蛋白， 对单一激素或一组激素具有高度特异性或选择性， 相关激素 因此，越来越清楚的是，这些激素 结合蛋白比其他蛋白更常见和广泛， 想象 除了携带特殊的蛋白质 特别是激素，据信它们更能 重要的功能比单独运输。 我们正在研究一个 结合蛋白，其对性类固醇激素具有特异性， 即性类固醇结合蛋白（SBP）。 这种蛋白质经历 在繁殖期间， 青春期，怀孕和重新激活的重要时期 季节性活动。 拟议研究的目的是 纯化这种蛋白质，以便它可以被标记和施用， 青春期的动物，以确定1）蛋白质去哪里 在此期间（例如，这种蛋白质会离开血液循环吗 并集中在性类固醇的靶组织中 荷尔蒙？）以及2）这种蛋白质可能在 激素类固醇在青春期的重要作用 过程 //

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. //