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Zhang R, Zhang S, Zhu X, Zhou Y, Wu X. Molecular characterization of the Chinese alligator follicle-stimulating hormone β subunit (FSHβ) and its expression during the female reproductive cycle. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 183:49-57. [PMID: 25626184 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The Chinese alligator Alligator sinensis is an endangered species endemic to China, it has a highly specialized reproductive pattern with low fecundity. Up to date, little is known about the regulation of its female reproductive cycle. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a glycoprotein hormone, plays a key role in stimulating and regulating ovarian follicular development and egg production. In this study, the complete FSHβ cDNA from the ovary of the Chinese alligator was obtained for the first time, it consists of 843-bp nucleotides, including 120-bp nucleotides of the 5'-untranslated region (UTR), 396-bp of the open reading frame, and 3'-UTR of 327-bp nucleotides. It encodes a 131-amino acid precursor molecule of FSHβ with a signal peptide of 18 amino acids followed by a mature protein of 113 amino acids. Its deduced amino acid sequence shares high identities with the American alligator (100%) and birds (89-92%). Phylogenetic tree analysis of the FSHβ amino acid sequence indicated that alligators cluster into the bird branch. Tissue distribution analyses indicated that FSHβ mRNA is expressed in ovary, intestine and liver with the highest level in the ovary, while not in stomach, pancreas, heart, thymus and thyroid. Expression of FSHβ in ovary increases in May (breeding prophase) and peaks in July (breeding period), it is maintained at high levels through September, then decreases significantly in November (post-reproductive period) and remains relatively low from January to March (hibernating period). These temporal changes of FSHβ expression implicated that it might play an important role in promoting ovarian development during the female reproductive cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Conservation and Use of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China
| | - Shengzhou Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Conservation and Use of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China.
| | - Xue Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Conservation and Use of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China
| | - Yongkang Zhou
- Alligator Research Center of Anhui Province, Xuanzhou 242000, China
| | - Xiaobing Wu
- Key Laboratory for Conservation and Use of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China.
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Gabay R, Rozen S, Samokovlisky A, Amor Y, Rosenfeld R, Kohen F, Amsterdam A, Berger P, Ben-Menahem D. The role of the 3' region of mammalian gonadotropin β subunit gene in the luteinizing hormone to chorionic gonadotropin evolution. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 382:781-90. [PMID: 24239648 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
CGβ subunits comprise a unique carboxyl-terminal peptide (CTP) that has multiple O-linked glycans and extends serum half-life of the protein. It has evolved by incorporating a previously untranslated region of the LHβ gene into the reading frame. Although CTP-like sequences are encrypted in the LHβ genes of several mammals, the CGβ subunit developed only in primates and equids. To study this restriction in evolution, we examined whether the cryptic CTP decoded from the bovine LHβ gene (boCTP) possesses key characteristics of the human (h) CGβ-CTP. The boCTP does not impede several crucial aspects of hormone biosynthesis, but compared to the hCGβ-CTP, the stretch lacks O-glycans and determinants for circulatory survival. O-glycan deficiency and the associated incapacity to extend serum half-life is a major drawback of the boCTP. This may explain why LH did not evolve into CG in ruminants and consequently alternative mechanisms evolved to delay luteolysis early in gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reut Gabay
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Shelly Rozen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Fortune Kohen
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Abraham Amsterdam
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Peter Berger
- Endocrinology Unit, Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Ben-Menahem
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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Troppmann B, Kleinau G, Krause G, Gromoll J. Structural and functional plasticity of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotrophin receptor. Hum Reprod Update 2013; 19:583-602. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmt023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Abstract
The synthesis and secretion of the gonadotropic hormones involves coordination of signal transduction, gene expression, protein translation, post-translational folding and modification and finally secretion. The production of biologically active gonadotropin thus requires appropriately folded and glycosylated subunits that assemble to form the heterodimeric hormone. Here we overview recent literature on regulation of gonadotropin subunit gene expression and current understanding of the assembly and secretion of biologically active gonadotropic hormones. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of understanding glycosylation function towards designing new forms of gonadotropins based on observations of physiologically relevant parameters such as age related glycosylation changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- George R Bousfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA.
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Adams C, Henke A, Gromoll J. A novel two-promoter-one-gene system of the chorionic gonadotropin β gene enables tissue-specific expression. J Mol Endocrinol 2011; 47:285-98. [PMID: 21821715 DOI: 10.1530/jme-11-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The New World monkey (NWM), Callithrix jacchus, a preferred model in medical research, displays an interesting endocrine regulation of reproduction: LH, the heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone, is functionally replaced by the chorionic gonadotropin (CG), a hormone indispensable for establishment of pregnancy in humans and normally expressed in the placenta. In the marmoset pituitary, the expression of the β-subunit (CGB) gene is regulated similar to human LH β-subunit, but its placental regulation is unknown. This study intended to decipher the underlying mechanism of tissue-specific expression of CGB in the marmoset placenta. We identified a new placental transcriptional start site, described a new, previously undiscovered exon, and define a novel placental core promoter in the marmoset CGB gene. This promoter contains a TATA box and binding sites for activating protein 2 and selective promoter factor 1, the latter acting synergistically by forming a regulation cassette. Differential first exon usage directed the tissue-specific expression. Methylation analyses revealed a tissue-specific pattern in the placental promoter indicating additional epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Our findings point toward a hitherto unknown evolutionary plasticity in the LH/CG hormonal system in NWM, which could be used as a model to study human CGB regulation in clinical pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Adams
- Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproduction and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Domagkstrasse 11, 48129 Münster, Germany
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Vasauskas AA, Hubler TR, Mahanic C, Gibson S, Kahn AG, Scammell JG. Regulation and distribution of squirrel monkey chorionic gonadotropin and secretogranin II in the pituitary. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2011; 170:509-13. [PMID: 21095191 PMCID: PMC3022110 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2010.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2010] [Revised: 10/26/2010] [Accepted: 11/12/2010] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Secretogranin II (SgII) is a member of the granin family of proteins found in neuroendocrine and endocrine cells. The expression and storage of SgII in the pituitary gland of Old World primates and rodents have been linked with those of luteinizing hormone (LH). However, New World primates including squirrel monkeys do not express LH in the pituitary gland, but rather CG is expressed. If CG takes on the luteotropic role of LH in New World primates, SgII may be associated with the expression and storage of CG in the pituitary gland. The goal of this study was to evaluate the regulation and distribution of CG and SgII in the squirrel monkey. A DNA fragment containing approximately 750 bp of squirrel monkey SgII promoter was isolated from genomic DNA and found to contain a cyclic-AMP response element that is also present in the human SgII promoter and important for GnRH responsiveness. The squirrel monkey and human SgII promoters were similarly activated by GnRH in luciferase reporter gene assays in LβT2 cells. Double immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated close association of SgII and CG in gonadotrophs of squirrel monkey pituitary gland. These results suggest that CG and SgII have a similar intercellular distribution and are coregulated in squirrel monkey pituitary gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey A. Vasauskas
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688
| | - Tina R. Hubler
- Department of Biology, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama 35632
| | - Christina Mahanic
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688
| | - Susan Gibson
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688
| | - Andrea G. Kahn
- Department of Pathology, University of South Alabama Medical Center, Mobile, Alabama 36617
| | - Jonathan G. Scammell
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688
- Corresponding author: Jonathan G. Scammell, Ph.D., Department of Comparative Medicine, MSB 992, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama 36688. Telephone: +1 251-460-6239,
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Vasauskas AA, Hubler TR, Boston L, Scammell JG. Tissue-specific expression of squirrel monkey chorionic gonadotropin. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2011; 170:514-21. [PMID: 21130091 PMCID: PMC3022102 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2010.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2010] [Revised: 10/26/2010] [Accepted: 11/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary gonadotropins LH and FSH play central roles in reproductive function. In Old World primates, LH stimulates ovulation in females and testosterone production in males. Recent studies have found that squirrel monkeys and other New World primates lack expression of LH in the pituitary. Instead, chorionic gonadotropin (CG), which is normally only expressed in the placenta of Old World primates, is the active luteotropic pituitary hormone in these animals. The goal of this study was to investigate the tissue-specific regulation of squirrel monkey CG. We isolated the squirrel monkey CGβ gene and promoter from genomic DNA from squirrel monkey B-lymphoblasts and compared the promoter sequence to that of the common marmoset, another New World primate, and human and rhesus macaque CGβ and LHβ. Using reporter gene assays, we found that a squirrel monkey CGβ promoter fragment (-1898/+9) is active in both mouse pituitary LβT2 and human placenta JEG3 cells, but not in rat adrenal PC12 cells. Furthermore, within this construct separate cis-elements are responsible for pituitary- and placenta-specific expression. Pituitary-specific expression is governed by Egr-1 binding sites in the proximal 250 bp of the promoter, whereas placenta-specific expression is controlled by AP-2 sites further upstream. Thus, selective expression of the squirrel monkey CGβ promoter in pituitary and placental cells is governed by distinct cis-elements that exhibit homology with human LHβ and marmoset CGβ promoters, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey A. Vasauskas
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688
| | - Tina R. Hubler
- Department of Biology, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama 35632
| | - Lori Boston
- Department of Biology, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama 35632
| | - Jonathan G. Scammell
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688
- Corresponding author: Jonathan G. Scammell, Ph.D., Department of Comparative Medicine, MSB 992, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama 36688. Telephone: +1 251-460-6239,
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Dai L, Zhao Y, Zhang G, Zhao R, Jiang H, Ma T, Gao Y, Yuan B, Xu Y, Yu W, Zhao Z, Zhang J. Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of follicle-stimulating hormone beta polypeptide precursor cDNA from the bovine pituitary gland. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2011; 10:1504-13. [DOI: 10.4238/vol10-3gmr997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Nagirnaja L, Rull K, Uusküla L, Hallast P, Grigorova M, Laan M. Genomics and genetics of gonadotropin beta-subunit genes: Unique FSHB and duplicated LHB/CGB loci. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 329:4-16. [PMID: 20488225 PMCID: PMC2954307 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2010] [Revised: 04/13/2010] [Accepted: 04/26/2010] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) play a critical role in human reproduction. Despite the common evolutionary ancestry and functional relatedness of the gonadotropin hormone beta (GtHB) genes, the single-copy FSHB (at 11p13) and the multi-copy LHB/CGB genes (at 19q13.32) exhibit locus-specific differences regarding their genomic context, evolution, genetic variation and expressional profile. FSHB represents a conservative vertebrate gene with a unique function and it is located in a structurally stable gene-poor region. In contrast, the primate-specific LHB/CGB gene cluster is located in a gene-rich genomic context and demonstrates an example of evolutionary young and unstable genomic region. The gene cluster is shaped by a constant balance between selection that acts on specific functions of the loci and frequent gene conversion events among duplicons. As the transcription of the GtHB genes is rate-limiting in the assembly of respective hormones, the genomic and genetic context of the FSHB and the LHB/CGB genes largely affects the profile of the hormone production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liina Nagirnaja
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia St. 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kristiina Rull
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia St. 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tartu, Puusepa 8 G2, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
- Estonian Biocentre, Riia St. 23b, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Liis Uusküla
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia St. 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pille Hallast
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia St. 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Marina Grigorova
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia St. 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
- Estonian Biocentre, Riia St. 23b, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Maris Laan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia St. 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
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Henke A, Gromoll J. New insights into the evolution of chorionic gonadotrophin. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2008; 291:11-9. [PMID: 18599193 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2008.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2008] [Revised: 05/17/2008] [Accepted: 05/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The glycoprotein hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and chorionic gonadotrophin (CG) are crucial for reproduction, as LH induces sex hormone production and ovulation, and CG is essential for the establishment of pregnancy and fetal male sexual differentiation. Both consist of two heterodimeric peptides of which the alpha-subunit is common to both hormones whereas the beta-subunit is hormone-specific. The CGB gene was derived from LHB by gene duplication and frame shift mutation that led to a read-through into the formerly 3'-untranslated region, giving rise to the carboxyl-terminal peptide. Owing to nucleotide changes within the 5'-region of CGB, a new transcriptional start site and regulatory region was gained. These changes led to the specific expression of CGB in the placenta and its decrease in the pituitary. Recent findings on gonadotrophins led to an extended model for the sequence of events in the evolution of the CGB gene in primates and its tissue-specific expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Henke
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University Clinic Münster, Domagkstrasse 11, D-48149 Münster, Germany
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