The Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute (NQPI) Seminar Series is pleased to welcome Hemant Nagar, Ohio University, as our featured speaker on Thursday, October 9 at 4:10 p.m. Seminars are held in Walter Hall 145 and are also available virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Mechanism of action of Human Growth Hormone (hGH) Antagonist

Hemant Nagar, John J. Kopchick, Sumit Sharma

Human growth hormone (hGH) is a protein composed of 191 amino acids that is secreted by the pituitary gland. Binding of the growth hormone to its receptor  plays a pivotal role in various physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, immune function, and cell regeneration in humans. Abnormal secretion levels of hGH can lead to conditions, such as acromegaly, characterized by excessive hormone levels. Dr. Kopchick’s lab developed hGH antagonist by making a point substitution of glycine 120 to lysine. The hGH antagonist inhibits hyperactivity of the hormone. This hGH antagonist is commercially marketed as Somavert drug by Pfizer. We are interested in studying the binding mechanism of hGH antagonist to the growth hormone receptor in comparison to the native one. Our molecular simulations reveal that interactions between the antagonist and the receptor are weaker compared to the native one because of a local conformational change in the growth hormone.