In teleosts, growth hormone (GH) production is governed by multiple neuroendocrine factors from the hypothalamus and other regulators from the pituitary and peripheral organs. Exploring the principles followed by pituitary somatotropes when differentiating and integrating the signals from these regulators at the cellular and intracellular level is essential for understanding the endocrine regulation network of growth hormone synthesis and secretion in fish. This paper discusses recent advances in the action mechanisms of GH regulation factors, including the neuroendocrine regulators, pituitary level factors and peripheral factors, primarily involved in their receptor systems as well as in post-receptor signal transduction pathways.
LI WenSheng & LIN HaoRan State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Growth is a polygenic trait that is under the influence of multiple physiological pathways regulating energy metabolism and muscle growth.Among the possible growth-regulating pathways in vertebrates,components of the somatotropic axis are thought to have the greatest influence.There is growing body of literature focusing on the somatotropic axis and its role regulating growth in fish.This includes research into growth hormone,upstream hypothalamic hormones,insulin-like growth factors,and downstream signaling molecules.Many of these signals have both somatic effects stimulating the growth of tissues and metabolic effects that play a role in nutrient metabolism.Signals of other endocrine axes exhibit profound effects on the function of the somatotropic axis in vivo.In this review we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the teleost fish endocrine somatotropic axis,including emerging research using genetic modified models.These studies have revealed new aspects and challenges associated with regulation of the important steps of somatic growth.
DAI XiangYanZHANG WeiZHUO ZiJianHE JiangYanYIN Zhan
