A Symposium
–Hosted by the Division of Comparative Endocrinology–
Friday January 4, 2002
Beyond Carrier Proteins:
Integrative and Evolutionary Roles of Hormone-Binding Proteins
Co-organized by
Dr. Kevin M. Kelley, Long Beach, CA & Dr. Cunming Duan, Ann Arbor, MI
The mechanisms by which hormones act on their target tissues is of key importance in the field of endocrinology. Accumulating over many years of research are studies indicating that hormone action is actually much more complex than a simple act of a hormone binding to its target receptor. The goal for this SICB symposium is to advance an emerging recognition that soluble hormone-binding proteins (HBPs) are central regulators in many endocrine systems, with essential influences in integrating physiological processes and even on endocrine system evolution. HBPs will be defined as proteins in extra-cellular fluids that bind hormones and that can therefore regulate the ability of a hormone to transduce its signal through its cellular receptor. The emphasis of the symposium will be to look beyond the role of HBPs as ‘carrier proteins’ and instead to bring in the emerging concepts of HBPs as multifunctional regulatory proteins. Of particular interest will be where HBPs have developed regulatory properties beyond that of primary hormone-binding, including those that may broadcast into other endocrine systems. Experts representing several different endocrinology sub-fields will serve as “ambassadors” for their respective HBP(s) of interest, presenting what they know in the context of basic mechanisms and fundamental roles of HBPs. To date, there has never been a broad-reaching symposium of this type that orients itself on such a “cross-cutting” theoretical basis. Particularly unique are the emphases on the multifunctional nature of HPBs and on their role in the evolution of endocrine systems. The internationally recognized Journal of Endocrinology will publish the plenary addresses in its July 2002 issue.
Plenary Speakers by Topic:
Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins (IGFBPs)
Dr. Pinchas Cohen, Univ. Calif. Los Angeles: “Intracellular and Nuclear Interactions of IGFBPs”
Dr. Cunming Duan, Univ. Michigan: “Extracellular and Nuclear Actions of Insulin-like Growth Factor-binding Proteins”
Dr. Kevin M. Kelley, Calif. State Univ. Long Beach: “Comparative Biology of the Insulin-like Growth Factor-binding Protein (IGFBP)”
Dr. Subburaman Mohan, Loma Linda Univ.: “IGF Binding Proteins (IGFBPs) are Multifunctional and Act Via IGF-dependent and IGF-independent Mechanisms”
Growth Hormone Binding Protein (GHBP)
Dr. Frank Talamantes, Univ. Calif. Santa Cruz: “Structure and Regulation of Expression of the Mouse Growth Hormone-binding Protein”
Transthyretin
Dr. Gerhard Schreiber, Univ. Melbourne, Australia: “The Evolutionary and Integrative Roles of Transthyretin in Thyroid Hormone Homeostasis”
Retinoid Binding Proteins (RBPs)
Dr. Federico Gonzalez-Fernandez, Univ. Virginia: “Evolution and Functions of Retinoid-binding Proteins ‘RBPs’: The Interphotoreceptor ‘IRBP'”
Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Binding Protein (CRHBP)
Dr. Audrey F. Seasholtz, Univ. Michigan: “Corticotropin-releasing Hormone-binding Protein: In vivo Roles in the Pituitary and Central Nervous System”
Steroid Binding Globulins/Albumin
Dr. Michael Baker, Univ. Calif. San Diego: “Albumin’s Role in Steroid Hormone Action and the Origin of Vertebrates”
Dr. Creagh W. Breuner, Univ. Texas Austin: “Plasma Binding Proteins as Mediators of Corticosteroid Action in Vertebrates”
Dr. William Rosner, Columbia Univ.: “Sex Hormone-binding Globulin as an Intermediate in Sex Steriod Signaling at the Cell Membrane”
Vitamin D Binding Protein (DBP)
Dr. Nancy E. Cooke, Univ. Pennsylvania: “Vitamin D-binding Protein in Hormone Transport and Host Defense”
TGF-ß Binding Proteins
Dr. Daniel Rifkin, New York Univ.: “TGB-ß Activation: Normal and Pathological Consequences”
Dr. Ethan Bier, Univ. Calif. San Diego: “Extracellular Modulation of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling”
Following the plenary lectures will be SICB’s First Annual Howard A. Bern Lecture in Comparative Endocrinology, to be given by Dr. Howard A. Bern, Univ. Calif. Berkeley
