Growth hormone-dependent insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein from human plasma differs from other human IGF binding proteins.

A growth hormone-dependent binding protein for insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) has been isolated from human plasma. Analyzed on SDS gels, the preparation contained a major protein band of 53 kDa, and a minor band of 47 kDa. After transfer to nitrocellulose, both species bound iodinated IGF-I, and could be detected using an antibody raised against the purified preparation. In contrast, an IGF binding protein purified from human amniotic fluid bound IGF-I but was not detectable immunologically. The amino acid comparison of the plasma binding protein preparation was different from that reported for amniotic fluid and HEP G2 hepatoma proteins, and the unique amino-terminal sequence, Gly-Ala-Ser-Ser-Ala-Gly-Leu-Gly-Pro-Val-, was different from that of the amniotic fluid and hepatoma proteins. This study indicates that the growth hormone-dependent IGF binding protein of human plasma is structurally and immunologically distinct from other IGF binding proteins.