Studies on structure-function relationships of human choriogonadotropins with C-terminally shortened alpha-subunits. II. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity and depletion of cytochrome P-450 in the rat testis

Human choriogonadotropin (hCG) analogues, containing the native beta-subunit and alpha-subunits enzymatically shortened by 2-3 amino acid residues, were used for studying the influence of hCG on the content of microsomal progesterone-binding cytochrome P-450 in rat testis. When 2-3 residues have been removed from the alpha-subunit, the ability of the hormone analogue to stimulate adenylate cyclase of isolated rat Leydig cells was diminished by 55%. When the hCG analogue containing a des-(88-92)-alpha chain was applied, the residual activity of the adenylate cyclase was negligible. 18 h after administration to rats in vivo, the hormone species containing des-(Lys-91-Ser-92)-alpha or des-(90-92)-alpha, respectively, were found to have induced a decrease in microsomal cytochrome P-450 content with an effectiveness corresponding to their ability of stimulating the adenylate cyclase in vitro. However, when assayed 48 h after application, the desensitization of the microsomal cytochrome P-450 system had persisted in case of the hCG species containing a des-(90-92)-alpha chain but not in case of hCG consisting of des-(Lys-91-Ser-92)-alpha and a native beta-subunit. From these results, it is concluded that short-term effects of hCG on the microsomal content of progesterone-binding cytochrome P-450 are mediated by the stimulation of adenylate cyclase. In contrast, the long-lasting action of hCG on this system seems not to be exclusively mediated by the increase in intracellular cAMP.     

Studies of the specific role of the subunits of choriogonadotropin for biological, immunological and physical properties of the hormone. Digestion of choriogonadotropin and its isolated subunits with serine carboxypeptidase

The residues 90-92 can be split off from the C-terminal region of the isolated alpha-subunit of choriogonadotropin (residues 88--92: -Tyr-Tyr-His-Lys-Ser-OH) by means of serine carboxypeptidase (des-Lys91,Ser92-alpha-subunit; des-(90-92)-alpha-subunit). However, when choriogonadotropin is digested by serine carboxypeptidase, only the residues 143-145 (-Leu-Pro-Gln-OH) form the C-terminus of the beta-subunit are released (des-(143-145)-choriogonadotropin). Depending on the pH conditions, glutamine 145 and the residues 143-145, respectively, are liberated by digestion of the isolated beta-subunit (des-Gln145-beta-subunit and des-(143-145)-beta-subunit, respectively). The present study provides evidence that the C-termini of both the isolated subunits and those in choriogonadotropin are probably arranged on the surface of the molecules. The biological activity of des-(143-145)-choriogonadotropin is not significantly decreased. The immunological activity, however, is reduced when measured by complement fixation. In comparison to the native hormone, a four-fold amount of des-(143-145)-choriogonadotropin has to be applied to obtain highest complement fixation. The conformation of des-(143-145)-choriogonadotropin does not seem to differ from that of the native hormone, when estimated both by CD measurements and by Ans-choriogonadotropin fluorescence. The respective determinant therefore seems to depend, at least to some extent, on the sequence of the C-terminal region of the beta-subunit of the hormone; complement fixation, however, does not seem to be affected significantly, when the des-(143-145)-beta-subunit is compared with the native beta-subunit using an antiserum against the native beta-subunit. This provides evidence that this C-terminal determinant is possibly more immunogenic at the hormone than at the isolated beta-subunit. The biological activity of recombined choriogonadotropin in vivo as well as in vitro is markedly reduced when serine 92 is removed from the C-terminus of the alpha-subunit (des-Ser92,Lys91-alpha-native beta-subunit: 36% residual activity in vivo). Biological activity is lost when the residues 88-90 are removed by digestion of the des-Ser92,Lys91-alpha-subunit with carboxypeptidase A. Recombination products between a modified alpha-and the native beta-subunit show a reduced Anschoriogonadotropin fluorescence (des-Lys91,-Ser92-alpha + native beta-subunit: 52%; des-(88-92)-alpha- + native beta-subunit: 23%). The Ans-induced aggregation of choriogonadotropin, however, also takes place in those recombination products which display a low Ans-choriogonadotropin fluorescence, indicating that the reduction is probably not caused by a portion of the molecules losing their binding sites for Ans. Therefore the diminished Ans-choriogonadotropin fluorescence seems to signal small conformational changes. The CD spectra of the native and the des-(90-92)-alpha-subunit, however, seem not to differ significantly. It is shown that the release of amino acids from the C-terminus of the alpha-subunit causes a disturbance of the interaction between the subunits. This seems to prevent an effective conformational change of the beta-subunit which probably is a prerequisite for the binding of the hormone to the receptors of Leydig cells.     

Studies on structure-function relationships of human choriogonadotropins with C-terminally shortened α-subunits. II. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity and depletion of cytochromeP-450 in the rat testis

Human choriogonadotropin (hCG) analogues, containing the native β-subunit and α-subunits enzymatically shortened by 2–3 amino acid residues, were used for studying influence of hCG on the content of microsomal progesterone-binding cytochromeP-450 in rat tests. When 2–3 residues have been renuwed from the α-subunit, the ability of the hormone analogue to stimulate adenylate cyclase of isolated rat Leydig cells was diminished by 55%. When the hCG analogue containing a des-(88–92)-α chain was applied, the residual activity of the adenylate cyclase was negligible. 18 h after administration to rats in vivo, the hormone species containing des-(Lys-91-Ser-92)-α or des-(90–92)-α, respectively, were found to have induced a decrease in microsomal cytochromeP-450 content with an effectiveness corresponding to their ability of stimulating the adenylate cyclase in vitro. However, when assayed 48 h after application, the desensitization of the microsomal cytochromeP-450 system had persisted in case of the hCG species containing a des-(90–92)-α chain but not in case of hCG consisting of des-(Lys-91-Ser-92)-α and a native β-subunit. From these results, it is concluded that short-term effects of hCG on the microsomal content of progesterone-binding cytochromeP-450 are mediated by the stimulation of adenylate cyclase. In contrast, the long-lasting action of hCG on this system seems not to be exclusively mediated by the increase in intracellular cAMP.     

Antigenic determinants on human choriogonadotropin alpha-subunit. II. Immunochemical mapping by a monoclonal antipeptide antibody

In order to study antigenic site(s) present in the carboxyl-terminal part of the alpha-subunit of human choriogonadotropin (hCG-alpha), we attempted to produce site-specific antibodies directed against a 34-residue synthetic peptide analogous to region 59-92 of hCG-alpha. From a fusion experiment performed with a mouse injected with hCG-alpha-(59-92)-peptide conjugated to tetanus toxoid as immunogen, we selected a monoclonal antipeptide antibody (designated FA36) which has high binding activity for 125I-hCG-alpha but not for 125I-hCG in a radioimmunoassay. This antibody is of the IgG1 subclass and displays an affinity constant for 125I-hCG-alpha of 3.1 x 10(8) M-1. Hapten inhibition experiments performed by either radioimmunoassay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with synthetic peptides spanning different portions of the region (59-92) demonstrated that the binding site of FA36 resides on (minimally) the six COOH-terminal amino acids of hCG-alpha, namely Cys-Tyr-Tyr-His-Lys-Ser, and that FA36 binds preferentially to peptides containing a carboxyl group on the COOH-terminal residue. Monoclonal immunoradiometric assays were established to determine the location of antigenic regions recognized by FA36, by antibody AHT20 (which binds only to hCG-alpha), and by antibody HT13 (which binds to both hCG and hCG-alpha). FA36 has the capacity to bind to hCG-alpha bound to either AHT20 or HT13, demonstrating that both AHT20 and HT13 antibodies are directed against antigenic regions distinct from the epitope of FA36. Monoclonal immunoradiometric assays were also carried out to study the binding of FA36 to hCG, the ovine and equine lutropin alpha-subunit, or hCG-alpha minus the 5 COOH-terminal residues (hCG-alpha core). Whereas significant binding of 125I-FA36 was observed with the ovine lutropin alpha-subunit, no binding was found with the equine lutropin alpha-subunit. As expected, FA36 did not bind to hCG-alpha core. Binding was also not detected with hCG, confirming that FA36 is specific for free hCG-alpha and that the COOH-terminal part of hCG-alpha is either weakly or (more likely) not at all accessible in the alpha/beta-dimer for antibody binding. Finally, immunoblots performed on hCG-alpha-(59-62)-peptide and various denatured alpha-subunits indicated that, with the exception of the equine lutropin alpha-subunit, FA36 detected various denatured alpha-subunits and particularly the alpha-subunit of carp gonadotropin-thyrotropin. This latter observation suggests a high degree of homology between the COOH-terminal regions of the alpha-subunits of fish gonadotropin and analogous mammalian hormones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The carboxy-terminal region of the glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit: contributions to receptor binding and signaling in human chorionic gonadotropin.

The glycoprotein hormones are heterodimeric and contain a common alpha-subunit, which is noncovalently associated with a hormone-specific beta-subunit. The alpha-subunit has been highly conserved throughout evolution; for example, the five amino acid residues of the carboxy-terminus, Tyr-Tyr-His-Lys-Ser-COOH, are identical in nine of the 10 available amino acid sequences. It has been shown that enzymatic removal of these five amino acid residues, while not affecting holoprotein formation, results in a heterodimer that exhibits very little, if any, binding to the CG/LH receptor. Using site-directed mutagenesis on the human alpha-subunit, we have prepared two deletion mutants, Des-(88-92)alpha and Des-(89-92)alpha, and two point mutants, where each of the two tyrosines, 88 and 89, was replaced with phenylalanine, in order to delineate more specifically the contributions of these aromatic side-chains to receptor binding. The cDNAs for wild-type hCG alpha and mutants were introduced into a pcDNAINEO expression vector, and the cDNA for hCG beta was inserted into a pRSV plasmid; both were transiently cotransfected into DUXB-11 cells. The media were collected, and RIAs showed that all mutants formed heterodimers; moreover, there was no discernable difference in subunit assembly between wild-type hCG alpha and the various mutant alpha-subunits. The gonadotropin mutants were assayed in vitro using a competitive binding assay with [125I]hCG and stimulation of progesterone production in the transformed murine Leydig cell line MA-10.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Inhibition of human choriotropin binding to receptor by human choriotropin alpha peptides. A comprehensive synthetic approach

Synthetic overlapping peptides of the alpha-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were made by solid-phase peptide synthesis employing a comprehensive synthetic approach. The entire primary structure of the alpha-subunit was synthesized as a series of nine consecutive peptides, each 15 residues in length, and overlapping with its two adjacent neighbors by 5 residues on each side. Receptor binding activity of each synthetic peptide was measured by the inhibition of binding of 125I-labeled hCG to rat ovarian receptor. Peptides alpha 21-35, alpha 31-45, alpha 71-85, and alpha 81-92 were shown to compete for binding with native hCG, thus demonstrating that at least two regions on the alpha-subunit may be part of the binding site(s) of the hormone. The low affinity of the peptides (10(-5)-10(-6) M) compared to native hormone (10(-10) M) for receptor is not unexpected due to the probability of discontinuous and multiple sites involved in receptor binding. An ultrapure preparation of hCG alpha-subunit also had low affinity (10(-5), suggesting that conformational changes upon combination with beta-subunit to form dimer or changes in conformation after binding are necessary for high affinity interaction. These results correlate with previous predictions of binding sites based on studies employing chemical and enzymatic modifications of intact hormone and show that synthetic peptide strategies are helpful in the elucidation of protein structure and function.     

Alternatively folded choriogonadotropin analogs. Implications for hormone folding and biological activity

Most heterodimeric proteins are stabilized by intersubunit contacts or disulfide bonds. In contrast, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and other glycoprotein hormones are secured by a strand of their beta-subunits that is wrapped around alpha-subunit loop 2 "like a seatbelt." During studies of hCG synthesis in COS-7 cells, we found that, when the seatbelt was prevented from forming the disulfide that normally "latches" it to the beta-subunit, its carboxyl-terminal end can "scan" the surface of the heterodimer and become latched by a disulfide to cysteines substituted for residues in the alpha-subunit. Analogs in which the seatbelt was latched to residues 35, 37, 41-43, and 56 of alpha-subunit loop 2 had similar lutropin activities to those of hCG; that in which it was latched to residue 92 at the carboxyl terminus had 10-20% the activity of hCG. Attachment of the seatbelt to alpha-subunit residues 45-51, 86, 88, 90, and 91 reduced lutropin activity substantially. These findings show that the heterodimer can form before the beta-subunit has folded completely and support the notions that the carboxyl-terminal end of the seatbelt, portions of alpha-subunit loop 2, and the end of the alpha-subunit carboxyl terminus do not participate in lutropin receptor interactions. They suggest also that several different architectures could have been sampled without disrupting hormone activity as the glycoprotein hormones diverged from other cysteine knot proteins.     

Topographic antigenic determinants recognized by monoclonal antibodies on human choriogonadotropin beta-subunit

We describe a first attempt to study the antibody-combining sites recognized by monoclonal antibodies raised against the beta-subunit of human choriogonadotropin (hCG). Two groups of antibodies were first defined by their ability to recognize only the free beta-subunit or the free and combined subunit. Antibodies FBT-11 and FBT-11-L bind only to hCG beta-subunit but not to hCG, whereas antibodies FBT-10 and D1E8 bind to both the beta-subunit and the hormone. In both cases, the antigenic determinants were localized to the core of the protein (residues 1-112), indicating the weak immunogenicity of the specific carboxyl-terminal extension of hCG-beta. Nine synthetic peptides spanning different regions of hCG-beta and lutropin-beta were assessed for their capacity to inhibit antibody binding. A synthetic peptide inclusive of the NH2-terminal region (residues 1-7) of the hCG beta-subunit was found to inhibit binding to the radiolabeled subunit of a monoclonal antibody specific for free hCG-beta (FBT-11). Further delineation of the antigenic site recognized by this antibody provided evidence for the involvement of fragment 82-92. Moreover, monoclonal antibody FBT-11 inhibited the recombination of hCG-beta to hCG-alpha, indicating that its antigenic determinant might be located nearby or in the hCG-beta portion interacting with the alpha-subunit. Binding of monoclonal antibody FBT-10, corresponding to the second antigenic determinant, was weakly inhibited by fragment 82-105 and did not impair the recombination of the hCG beta-subunit to the hCG alpha-subunit. Its combining site appeared to be located in a region of the intact native choriogonadotropin present at the surface of the hormone-receptor complex.     

Epitope analysis and molecular modeling reveal the topography of the C-terminal peptide of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) belongs to a family of heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones that share a common alpha-subunit and a hormone-specific beta-subunit. Among the gonadotropin beta-subunits, greater than 85% homology exists between lutropin (hLH)beta and hCGbeta in their first 114 amino acid residues. However, unlike hLHbeta, hCGbeta contains a 31-amino acid hydrophilic stretch at its carboxyl end (CTPbeta: C-terminal peptide). Although the crystal structure of deglycosylated hCG has been solved, the topography of CTPbeta remains unknown. In this study, we have attempted to define the topology of CTPbeta using mAb probes. We investigated three epitopes on hCGalpha, which are hidden in the hCGalphabeta dimer. However, these epitopes are not hidden in hLH, which has a similar subunit interface to that of hCG, but lacks CTPbeta. This suggested that these epitopes are not masked at the subunit interface of hLH or hCG. Hence, we hypothesized that, in the case of hCG, these epitopes are masked by the CTPbeta. Consistent with this view, several treatments of hCG that removed CTPbeta unmasked these epitopes and enhanced their reactivity with the corresponding mAbs. In order to localise the position of CTPbeta on the alpha-subunit, we used an epitope-mapping strategy [N. Venkatesh & G. S. Murthy (1997) J. Immunol. Methods 202, 173-182] based on differential susceptibility of epitopes to covalent modifications. This enabled us to predict the possible topography of CTPbeta. Further, we were also able to build a model of CTPbeta, completely independently of the epitope-mapping studies, using a homology-based modeling approach [S. Krishnaswamy, I. Lakshminarayanan & S. Bhattacharya (1995) Protein Sci. 4 (Suppl. 2), 86-97]. Results obtained from these two different approaches (epitope analysis and homology modeling) agree with each other and indicate that portions of CTPbeta are in contact with hCGalpha in the native hCG dimer.     

The beta-subunit of human choriogonadotropin interacts with the exodomain of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor and changes its interaction with the alpha-subunit.

Human CG (hCG) consists of a common alpha-subunit and a hormone-specific beta-subunit. Similarly, its receptor is also composed of two domains, an extracellular N-terminal half (exodomain) and a membrane-associated C-terminal half (endodomain). hCG initially binds the exodomain of the receptor after which the resulting hCG/exodomain complex is thought to interact with the endodomain. This secondary interaction is considered responsible for signal generation. Despite the importance, it is unclear which hormone subunit interacts with the exodomain or the endodomain. As a step to determine the mechanisms of the initial and secondary interactions and signal generation, we investigated the interaction of the hormone-specific beta-subunit in hCG with the receptor's exodomain. A photoactivable hCG derivative consisting of the wild-type alpha-subunit and a photoactivable beta-subunit derivative was prepared and used to label the exodomain. The analysis and immunoprecipitation of photoaffinity labeled exodomain demonstrate that the beta-subunit in hCG makes the direct contact with the exodomain.     

Disulfide bonds Cys(9)-Cys(57), Cys(34)-Cys(88) and Cys(38)-Cys(90) of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin are crucial for heterodimer formation with the alpha-subunit: experimental evidence for the conclusions from the crystal structure of hCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The alpha- and beta-subunits of hCG are highly cross-linked internally by disulfide bonds that seem to stabilize the tertiary structures required for the noncovalent association of the subunits to generate hormonal activity. This paper describes the results of our studies on the role of the disulfide bonds of hCG-beta in heterodimer formation with the alpha-subunit. Six disulfide peptides incorporating each of the six disulfide bonds of hCG-beta were screened, along with their linear counterparts, for their ability to competitively inhibit the recombination of alpha- and beta-subunits. The disulfide peptides Cys (9-57), Cys (34-88) and Cys (38-90) were found to inhibit the alpha/beta recombination whereas the remaining three disulfide peptides viz. Cys (23-72), Cys (26-110) and Cys (93-100) did not exhibit any inhibition activity. Interestingly, none of the linear peptides could inhibit the alpha/beta recombination. Results clearly demonstrate that the disulfide bonds Cys(9)-Cys(57), Cys(34)-Cys(88) and Cys(38)-Cys(90) of the beta-subunit of hCG are crucial for heterodimer formation with the alpha-subunit thus providing experimental confirmation of the conclusions from the crystal structure of the hormone.     

Heterogeneity of free alpha-subunit in term placenta

Free alpha-subunit in normal term placenta was examined for molecular weight, electric charge and ability to combine with standard hCG-beta in comparison with extracellular free alpha-subunit and standard hCG-alpha dissociated from urinary hCG in vitro. The gel chromatography on Sephadex G-100 of the placental extract revealed three major immunoreactive hCG-alpha peaks, designated as P alpha-A (Kav = 0.32-0.46), P alpha-B (0.47-0.58) and P alpha-C (0.59-0.70), near the position of standard hCG-alpha. In the isoelectric focusing, while P alpha-A was mainly distributed over the acidic region, the major components of P alpha-B and P alpha-C were distributed over the basic region. Furthermore, in the combination study with standard hCG-beta, such a alpha-subunit with acidic pI scarcely showed any combining activity whereas alpha-subunit with basic pI revealed significant combining activity. These results suggest the following possibilities: that 1) the various size species of placental alpha-subunit may be responsible for the progressive glycosylation; 2) the small alpha-subunit with basic pI may combine with beta-subunit to form immunoreactive hCG; 3) the alpha-subunit, which has not associated with beta-subunit, may be converted to a large and incombinative form with acidic pI by further glycosylation, followed by secretion as a free alpha-subunit.     

Site-directed mutagenesis defines a domain in the gonadotropin alpha-subunit required for assembly with the chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit.

hCG, LH, FSH, and TSH are a family of heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones that share a common alpha-subunit, but differ in their hormone-specific beta-subunits. Using site-directed mutagenesis and gene transfer, we studied the region in the common alpha-subunit that has been implicated in the assembly with the beta-subunits. The wild-type or mutated alpha-gene was cotransfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells with the wild-type hCG beta gene. Deletion of the sequence Pro38-Thr39-Pro40 or a change in Tyr37 or Thr39 in the alpha-subunit eliminated or reduced combination with the beta-subunit. Deletion of the sequence Leu41-Arg42-Ser43 had little effect on hCG dimer formation. Disruption of the disulfide bone in the carboxyl end of the subunit did not affect assembly, which suggests that the disulfide bond of Cys59 and Cys87 is not critical for dimer formation. Based on our data and the previously published results from several laboratories, the region encompassed by amino acids 37-40 is a key determinant in initiating and maintaining alpha:beta assembly.     

Identification of luteinizing hormone-releasing factor and alpha-subunit of glycoprotein hormones in human pancreatic islets

Using an immunoperoxidase technique, staining of human pancreatic islets was observed with antisera to luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LRF) and to the glycoprotein hormones hCG, LH and the alpha-subunit. Treatment of fixed tissue sections with protease inhibitors or heat did not affect the staining indicating that the positive results were not a non-specific effect of protease activity in vitro. No staining was observed in the islets with antisera against the beta-subunit of LH, FSH or hCG suggesting that the material which stained was free alpha-subunit rather than native hormone. The association of LRF and alpha-subunit in human pancreatic islets raises the possibility of a functional relationship between the two in this site.     

Capping protein binding to S100B: implications for the tentacle model for capping the actin filament barbed end

S100B binds tightly to a 12-amino acid peptide derived from heterodimeric capping protein. In native intact capping protein, this sequence is in the C terminus of the alpha-subunit, which is important for capping the actin filament. This C-terminal region is proposed to act as a flexible "tentacle," extending away from the body of capping protein in order to bind actin. To this hypothesis, we analyzed the interaction between S100B and capping protein in solution. The C-terminal 28 amino acids of the alpha-subunit, the proposed tentacle, bound to S100B as a free synthetic peptide or a glutathione S-transferase fusion (K(d) approximately 0.4-1 microm). In contrast, S100B did not bind to whole native capping protein or functionally affect its capping activity. S100B does not bind, with any significant affinity, to the proposed alpha-tentacle sequence of whole native capping protein in solution. In the NMR structure of S100B complexed with the alpha-subunit-derived 12-amino acid peptide, the hydrophobic side of a short alpha-helix in the peptide, containing an important tryptophan residue, contacts S100B. In the x-ray structure of native capping protein, the corresponding sequence of the alpha-subunit C terminus, including Trp(271), interacts closely with the body of the protein. Therefore, our results suggest the alpha-subunit C terminus is not mobile as predicted by the tentacle model. Addition of non-ionic detergent allowed whole capping protein to bind weakly to S100B, indicating that the alpha-subunit C terminus can be mobilized from the surface of the capping protein molecule, presumably by weakening the hydrophobic binding at the contact site.     

Conversion of lysine 91 to methionine or glutamic acid in human choriogonadotropin alpha results in the loss of cAMP inducibility.

Human choriogonadotropin (hCG) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone. The alpha subunit comprises 92 amino acids, of which 6 are Lys residues (Morgan, F.G., Birken, S., and Canfield, R.E. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 5247-5258). Our photoaffinity-labeling studies indicate that several of these Lys residues make contact with the lutropin receptor and are covalently cross-linked to the receptor. Lys-91 of the alpha subunit is of interest because deletion of the two alpha C-terminal residues, Lys-91 and Ser-92, results in a significant reduction in the bioactivity of lutropin and thyrotropin (Cheng, K.-W., Glazer, A.N., and Pierce, J.G. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 7930-7937). To determine the importance of Lys-alpha 91, we substituted it with Arg, Met, or Glu. The resulting mutant alpha cDNA constructs were co-transfected into CHO cells with the wild type hCG beta cDNA construct. Secreted hCG dimers were assayed for binding to receptors on porcine granulosa cells and stimulation of cAMP synthesis in a murine Leydig tumor cell line. The natural hCG, wild type hCG, and all mutant hCGs recognized the receptor, although with somewhat divergent affinities. However, there was a striking difference in the ability of cAMP induction. The natural hCG, wild type hCG, and Lys-91----Arg mutant hCG induced cAMP synthesis, whereas the Lys-91----Met and Lys-91----Glu mutants did not. These results demonstrate that Lys-91 is important for receptor modulation in the stimulation of cAMP synthesis.     

Inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity in rat corpora luteal tissue by glycopeptides of human chorionic gonadotropin and the alpha-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin

Indirect evidence has indicated that the carbohydrate moieties of the glycoprotein hormones are involved in the activation of the receptor-adenylyl cyclase system of reproductive tissues. In the present study, we have isolated the glycopeptides (GP) from human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the alpha-subunit of hCG, fetuin, and bovine gamma-globulin (b gamma G). These along with a number of synthetic oligosaccharides were tested for their ability to inhibit adenylyl cyclase (AC). There was less than 0.001% cross-reactivity of the GP from hCG, hCG alpha, fetuin, and b gamma G when tested in a double-antibody hCG radioimmunoassay or rat corpora lutea radioreceptor assay. The GP of fetuin, b gamma G, and the synthetic oligosaccharides did not inhibit AC activity of 2000 g corpora lutea membranes when coincubated with 100 ng of hCG/mL (ED50). However, when the GP of hCG and hCG alpha were included with intact hCG, there was a dose-related inhibition. Inhibition of cyclase activity was enhanced when the hCG GP were desialylated. This occurred without a change in the lag time of hCG activation which was calculated to be 1-1.5 min. Changing the concentration of ATP and Mg2+ did not affect the inhibitory effects of the hCG alpha GP on hCG-stimulated AC activity. Inhibition by hCG GP followed uncompetitive kinetics. The inhibition by the GP of hCG seems to be restricted to the LH/hCG-stimulatable AC system because the same dosage of hCG GP which inhibited the rat luteal AC system did not have any effect on the rat hepatocyte AC system when coincubated with glucagon or on NaF-stimulated activity in luteal membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of gonadotropin treatment interval on follicular maturation, in vitro fertilization, circulating steroid concentrations, and subsequent luteal function in the domestic cat.

The impact of the eCG-hCG interval on in vitro fertilization (IVF), endogenous hormonal patterns, and luteal integrity was studied in the domestic cat. Adult cats with inactive ovaries were given eCG (i.m.) and then hCG (i.m.) 80, 84, 88, 92, or 96 h later. Oocytes were aspirated 25-27 h after hCG and co-cultured with swim-up-processed cat spermatozoa. Blood samples were collected daily from 2 days before eCG treatment (Day -2) through Day 14, and sera were analyzed for estradiol-17 beta and progesterone. The mean number of oocytes recovered from the 80-92-h groups (range, 17.2 +/- 2.1 to 21.1 +/- 3.0) did not differ (p greater than 0.05); however, oocyte number was reduced (p less than 0.05) in the 96-h group (10.3 +/- 2.1). The proportion of all oocytes classified as mature was greater (p less than 0.05) when hCG was given 80, 84, or 88 h compared to 92 or 96 h after eCG. Delaying hCG treatment until 96 h caused more than 25% of all oocytes to degenerate, which was a greater rate (p less than 0.05) than in all other groups. The IVF rate at 80 (57.1%), 84 (56.5%), 88 (65.0%), and 92 (52.5%) h was greater (p less than 0.05) than that observed at 96 h (33.6%). Circulating estradiol-17 beta concentrations began to rise above nadir within 24 h of eCG injection in all interval groups. On the basis of areas under the curve, cats in the 80- and 84-h treatments produced more (p less than 0.05) estradiol-17 beta than other groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Genetic fusion of an alpha-subunit gene to the follicle-stimulating hormone and chorionic gonadotropin-beta subunit genes: production of a bifunctional protein.

The human glycoprotein hormones, hCG, TSH, LH, and FSH, are composed of a common alpha-subunit assembled to a hormone-specific beta-subunit. The subunits combine noncovalently early in the secretory pathway and exist as heterodimers but not as multimers. LH/FSH are synthesized in the pituitary gonadotrophs, and several of the alpha-subunit sequences required for association with either the LHbeta or FSHbeta subunits are different. Thus, it is intriguing that no ternary complexes are observed for LH and FSH in vivo (e.g. two different beta-assembled to a single alpha-subunit). To examine whether the alpha-subunit can interact with more than one beta-subunit, and to study the conformational relationships between the ligand and the receptor, we constructed a vector encoding two tandemly arranged beta-subunits fused to a single alpha-subunit gene (FSHbeta-CGbeta-alpha). This approach permitted structure-function analyses of alpha/beta domain complexes without the possibility of subunit dissociation. We reported previously that the CGbeta or FSHbeta subunit gene can be genetically fused to the alpha-gene and the resulting single chains (CGbetaalpha and FSHbetaalpha, respectively) were biologically active. Here we demonstrate that a triple-domain single chain bearing the configuration FSHbeta-CGbeta-alpha is efficiently secreted from transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and exhibits high-affinity receptor binding to both FSH and LH/hCG receptors, comparable to the native heterodimers. These results indicate that the alpha-subunit can interact with each beta-subunit in the same complex and that an alpha-domain fused to a beta-domain can still interact with an additional beta-subunit. The data also demonstrate the remarkable flexibility of the receptor to accommodate the increased bulkiness of the triple-domain ligand. In addition, the formation of intrachain FSH- and CG-like complexes observed in a triple-domain single chain suggests that the alpha-subunit can resonate, i.e. shuttle between alpha-beta heterodimeric intermediates during the early stages of synthesis and accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum. Such model compounds could be useful as substrates to generate a new class of analogs in which the ratio of the LH/FSH activity is varied. This could aid in the design of analogs that could be used to mimic the in vivo hormonal profiles.     

Localization of residues that confer antibody binding specificity using human chorionic gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone beta subunit chimeras and mutants.

The glycoprotein hormones are a family of conserved heterodimeric proteins which share a common alpha subunit but differ in their hormone-specific beta subunits. We used chimeras of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and luteinizing hormone (hLH) beta subunits to identify residues which enable monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to distinguish the two hormones. The LH beta-CG beta chimeras appeared to fold similar to hCG beta, since they combined with hCG alpha and, depending on their sequences, were recognized by hCG-selective mAbs. Amino acid residues Arg8-Arg10,Gly47-Ala51, and Gln89-Leu92 form a major epitope region and appear to be adjacent to each other on the surface of hCG beta. Gly47-Ala51 and Gln89-Leu92 are recognized by dimer-specific mAbs while Arg8-Arg10 is recognized by mAbs which have highest affinity for the free beta subunit. These observations suggest that the conformation of this region of the beta subunit changes when the alpha and beta subunits combine. Residues which are C-terminal of Asp112 form a second epitope domain. mAbs to the third domain distinguish hCG beta and hLH beta by the presence of Asn77 in hCG beta and can be detected after hCG binds to receptors. These findings were used to develop a model of hCG beta which predicts the locations of these residues and their positions relative to the alpha subunit and receptor interfaces.