Human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit nicking enzymes in pregnancy and cancer patient serum

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
A Kardana, L A Cole

Abstract

hCG is a dimer composed of an alpha- and a beta-subunit, joined noncovalently. In addition to the hCG dimer, uncombined alpha- and beta-subunits (free beta) and nicked hCG and free beta molecules (cleaved at 44-45 or 47-48) can be detected in the circulation. Of these circulating molecules, only the intact hCG dimer fully expresses biological activity. The pathways that dissociate, nick, and degrade hCG and beta-subunit molecules in pregnancy are unknown and could have a major role in regulating hormone levels. Immunoassays for intact (nonnicked) hCG and intact (beta-subunit (with < 1% detection of nicked molecules) and a subtractive immunoassay system for measuring nicked hCG levels have been described previously. A multiantibody scavenger assay is described here for measuring nicked beta-subunit levels (< 6% detection of intact beta-subunit). In this report we use these four assays to assess conversion of intact hCG or beta-subunit to nicked forms over time (nicking enzyme activities) in control (healthy nonpregnant), pregnant, and cancer patient serum samples. Pools of pregnancy and control sera were supplemented with intact hCG and its dissociated beta-subunit and incubated at 37 C. Intact and nicked molecule measurements w...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 28, 2009·Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology : RB&E·Laurence A Cole
May 26, 2004·Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·Jerome M Hershman

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