Biomaterial Database

Spatial relationships of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) subunits in the assembly of the hCG-receptor complex in the luteinized rat ovary. 1984

J Hwang, and K M Menon

In an attempt to examine the spatial relationships of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) subunits in the assembly of the hCG-receptor complex, the recombined 125I-labeled hCG, with label in either the alpha subunit or the beta subunit, was cross-linked to the luteinizing hormone (LH)/hCG receptor. The efficacy of the cross-linking of the 125I-alpha subunit or the 125I-beta subunit of hCG to the LH/hCG receptor was then examined. The autoradiographic profile of 125I-hCG-receptor complex containing the label in the alpha subunit of hCG showed that the alpha subunit can cross-link with all four subunits of the LH/hCG receptor. However, only one faint labeled band, corresponding to Mr = 68,000, was detected when the 125I-hCG-receptor complex with label in the beta subunit was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. When the electrophoresis was performed under nonreducing conditions, the Mr 68,000 band disappeared concomitantly with the accumulation of radioactivity in the high molecular weight region. These results indicated that the beta subunit of hCG, unlike the alpha subunit, can cross-link only weakly with the smallest subunit of the LH/hCG receptor. A comparison of the differential effectiveness of the cross-linking of 125I-alpha subunit with 125I-beta subunit of hCG to the LH/hCG receptor suggests that both alpha and beta subunits of hCG are intimately associated with the receptor, but the bulk of the beta subunit of hCG is buried in between the receptor and the alpha subunit of hCG. On the basis of our data, a model for the spatial arrangement of hCG subunits in the hCG-receptor complex is proposed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008958	Models, Molecular	Models used experimentally or theoretically to study molecular shape, electronic properties, or interactions; includes analogous molecules, computer-generated graphics, and mechanical structures.	Molecular Models,Model, Molecular,Molecular Model
D010053	Ovary	The reproductive organ (GONADS) in female animals. In vertebrates, the ovary contains two functional parts: the OVARIAN FOLLICLE for the production of female germ cells (OOGENESIS); and the endocrine cells (GRANULOSA CELLS; THECA CELLS; and LUTEAL CELLS) for the production of ESTROGENS and PROGESTERONE.	Ovaries
D011485	Protein Binding	The process in which substances, either endogenous or exogenous, bind to proteins, peptides, enzymes, protein precursors, or allied compounds. Specific protein-binding measures are often used as assays in diagnostic assessments.	Plasma Protein Binding Capacity,Binding, Protein
D011487	Protein Conformation	The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a protein, including the secondary, supersecondary (motifs), tertiary (domains) and quaternary structure of the peptide chain. PROTEIN STRUCTURE, QUATERNARY describes the conformation assumed by multimeric proteins (aggregates of more than one polypeptide chain).	Conformation, Protein,Conformations, Protein,Protein Conformations
D011956	Receptors, Cell Surface	Cell surface proteins that bind signalling molecules external to the cell with high affinity and convert this extracellular event into one or more intracellular signals that alter the behavior of the target cell (From Alberts, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2nd ed, pp693-5). Cell surface receptors, unlike enzymes, do not chemically alter their ligands.	Cell Surface Receptor,Cell Surface Receptors,Hormone Receptors, Cell Surface,Receptors, Endogenous Substances,Cell Surface Hormone Receptors,Endogenous Substances Receptors,Receptor, Cell Surface,Surface Receptor, Cell
D011974	Receptors, LH	Those protein complexes or molecular sites on the surfaces and cytoplasm of gonadal cells that bind luteinizing or chorionic gonadotropic hormones and thereby cause the gonadal cells to synthesize and secrete sex steroids. The hormone-receptor complex is internalized from the plasma membrane and initiates steroid synthesis.	Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptors,Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptors,ICSH Receptors,LH Receptors,LH-hCG Receptor,LH-hCG Receptors,Luteinizing Hormone Receptors,Lutropin Receptor,Lutropin Receptors,Receptors, Chorionic Gonadotropin,Receptors, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin,Receptors, Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone,Receptors, Luteinizing Hormone,hCG Receptors,Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptor,Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptor,LH Receptor,Luteinizing Hormone Receptor,Receptors, ICSH,Receptors, Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone,Receptors, LH-hCG,Receptors, Lutropin,Receptors, hCG,hCG Receptor,Gonadotropin Receptor, Chorionic,Gonadotropin Receptors, Chorionic,Hormone Receptor, Luteinizing,Hormone Receptors, Luteinizing,LH hCG Receptor,LH hCG Receptors,Receptor, Chorionic Gonadotropin,Receptor, LH,Receptor, LH-hCG,Receptor, Luteinizing Hormone,Receptor, Lutropin,Receptor, hCG,Receptors, LH hCG
D003338	Corpus Luteum	The yellow body derived from the ruptured OVARIAN FOLLICLE after OVULATION. The process of corpus luteum formation, LUTEINIZATION, is regulated by LUTEINIZING HORMONE.	Corpora Lutea,Lutea, Corpora
D003432	Cross-Linking Reagents	Reagents with two reactive groups, usually at opposite ends of the molecule, that are capable of reacting with and thereby forming bridges between side chains of amino acids in proteins; the locations of naturally reactive areas within proteins can thereby be identified; may also be used for other macromolecules, like glycoproteins, nucleic acids, or other.	Bifunctional Reagent,Bifunctional Reagents,Cross Linking Reagent,Crosslinking Reagent,Cross Linking Reagents,Crosslinking Reagents,Linking Reagent, Cross,Linking Reagents, Cross,Reagent, Bifunctional,Reagent, Cross Linking,Reagent, Crosslinking,Reagents, Bifunctional,Reagents, Cross Linking,Reagents, Cross-Linking,Reagents, Crosslinking
D005260	Female		Females
D006063	Chorionic Gonadotropin	A gonadotropic glycoprotein hormone produced primarily by the PLACENTA. Similar to the pituitary LUTEINIZING HORMONE in structure and function, chorionic gonadotropin is involved in maintaining the CORPUS LUTEUM during pregnancy. CG consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is virtually identical to the alpha subunits of the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH, and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity (CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN, BETA SUBUNIT, HUMAN).	Chorionic Gonadotropin, Human,HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin),Biogonadil,Choriogonadotropin,Choriogonin,Chorulon,Gonabion,Human Chorionic Gonadotropin,Pregnyl,Gonadotropin, Chorionic,Gonadotropin, Human Chorionic