Year: 2012
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: IntroductionSex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a sex steroid binding protein, originally described in humans as the major binding protein for estrogens and androgens in plasma (Anderson, 1974;Avvakumov, et al, 2010).By governing equilibrium conditions in plasma between bound and free sex steroids, SHBG regulates the availability of the latter to hormonally responsive tissues.Along with regulating free steroid concentrations in plasma, it is increasingly evident that SHBG also participates in other biological processes.These include, but are not limited to-activation of a rapid, membrane based steroid signaling pathway in tissues such as the prostate and breast (Rosner et al, 2010); spermatogenesis (Selva and Hammond, 2006); and a yet to be determined consequence of co-localization with oxytosin in brain cells (Caldwell et al, 2006).Plasma based SHBG is extensively studied, especially in the context of its regulation of free steroid concentrations and epidemiologic associations.The origin of plasma SHBG is, for all intents and purposes, the liver (Khan et al, 1981;Pugeat et al, 2010) (a differentially glycosylated isoform, androgen binding protein (ABP) is synthesized in the testis (Vigersky et al, 1976)).However, we now know that SHBG is also synthesized, albeit to a much lesser degree, in certain hormonally responsive tissues (Kahn et al, 2002).Early studies demonstrated immunoreactive SHBG in the prostate and breast (
Source: InTech eBooks
DOI: 10.5772/38981
Authors: Scott M., Nicholas A., William Rosner
Language: English
Subfield: Cancer Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W1481992524