Expression of the human growth hormone variant gene in cultured fibroblasts and transgenic mice.

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Abstract
The nucleotide sequence of the human growth hormone variant gene, one of the five members of the growth hormone-like protein. As a first step in determining whether this gene is functional in humans, we have expressed a mouse metallothionein I/human growth hormone variant fusion gene in mouse L cells and in transegenic mice. The growth hormone variant protein expressed in transiently transfected L cells is distinct from growth hormone itself with respect to reactivity with anti-growth hormone monoclonal antibodies, behavior during column chromatography, and isoelectric point. Transgenic mice expressing the growth hormone variant protein are 1.4- to 1.9-fold larger than nontransgenic controls, suggesting that the protein has growth-promoting properties.