9419310 Licht This project will examine the molecular biology and physiology of an unusual dual-function blood binding protein. Based on preliminary data, this protein has structural similarity to vitamin-D-binding protein (VDBP), but Dr. Licht has determined that it also serves as a high affinity thyroid hormone binding protein (TBP); normally these two hormones are transported by very different types of protein. He will attempt to identify the structural features that permit this mixed function and study how the synthesis of the binding protein in the liver is regulated by hormones in order to test the hypothesis that it may be involved in the thyroidal regulation of growth or vitamin D utilization. ***
