Cellular-Localization of the Growth-Hormone Binding-Protein in the Rat

In the rat a GH-binding protein (GHBP) exists that is derived from the GH receptor gene by an alternative messenger RNA splicing mechanism such that the transmembrane and intracellular domains of the GH receptor are replaced by a hydrophilic carboxy terminus. Previous immunohistochemical studies detailing the localization of the GH receptor binding protein (BP) have used monoclonal antibodies that recognize extracellular region-specific epitopes common to both the GH receptor and GHBP. In this study we have used a monoclonal antibody (MAb 4.3) specific for the carboxy terminus of the rat GHBP to map its somatic distribution in the rat and have compared this distribution with that of a MAb recognizing both the BP and the GH receptor