The structure of human growth hormone as the crystallographers found it

Published 24 October 2026 · REVIVE LAB UAE Research Desk · 5 min read
Human growth hormone is a 191-residue single polypeptide that folds into four antiparallel alpha helices arranged up-up-down-down, a topology shared with prolactin, erythropoietin and several interleukins. The structure of the hormone bound to its receptor was solved by de Vos, Ultsch and Kossiakoff and published in Science in 1992, and it remains the reference picture of the molecule.

The fold

Four long helices pack against one another with two long crossover connections, giving the up-up-down-down arrangement characteristic of the class I helical cytokines. The chain is held by two disulfide bonds. The molecule is compact, globular and about 22 kilodaltons.

This is a protein fold, not a peptide conformation: it has a hydrophobic core and a defined tertiary structure that can be lost.

Who solved it

The 1992 Science paper from Genentech reported the crystal structure of growth hormone in complex with the extracellular domain of its receptor at 2.8 angstrom resolution. It showed one hormone molecule contacting two receptor molecules, a result that reorganised how receptor activation in this family was understood.

Earlier work had established the sequence and the disulfide pattern; the crystal structure fixed the three-dimensional picture.

Why the family matters

Prolactin, placental lactogen, erythropoietin and a number of interleukins share the fold and the general mode of receptor binding. Growth hormone became the model system for the whole class because its structure came first and its receptor interactions were mapped residue by residue.

Somatropin is supplied by REVIVE LAB UAE for laboratory research use only, with identity and purity documented for the batch. It is not for human or veterinary use, and no dosing, administration or protocol guidance is provided.

What it costs

FormatStrengthPriceAvailability
HGH Somatropin Pack24 mg (72 IU)AED 850In stock

Delivery is AED 40 flat and free on orders over AED 700. Payment is cash on delivery anywhere in the UAE, or USDT (TRC20) in advance, which takes 5% off the order total.

Frequently asked

The fold?

Four long helices pack against one another with two long crossover connections, giving the up-up-down-down arrangement characteristic of the class I helical cytokines. The chain is held by two disulfide bonds. The molecule is compact, globular and about 22 kilodaltons.

Does REVIVE LAB UAE provide dosing guidance?

No. REVIVE LAB UAE supplies research materials and provides no dosing, administration or protocol guidance of any kind. Every product is sold for laboratory research use only and is not for human or veterinary consumption.

How fast is delivery in the UAE?

Stock is held in Dubai. An order confirmed before 4 PM Dubai time is dispatched the same working day, reaching Dubai and Abu Dhabi the same day and the remaining emirates within 24 hours. Delivery is AED 40 flat and free over AED 700.

HGH Somatropin Pack — in stock, dispatched from Dubai
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Supplied for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. REVIVE LAB UAE provides no dosing, administration or protocol guidance.