Expression of a novel follicle-stimulating hormone glycoform relating to fertility
Citation
Tran, T., Bousfield, G.R., and B. Shuai (2008). Expression of a novel follicle-stimulating hormone glycoform relating to fertility . In Proceedings: 4th Annual Symposium: Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects. Wichita, KS: Wichita State University, p.127-128
Abstract
LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), play
significant roles in follicular development and
maintenance of the estrous cycle. FSH specifically
functions to stimulate follicle growth, estrogen
synthesis and serve as a selection factor for
dominant follicles, which are essential to maintain
fertility. FSH exists in two glycoforms:
diglycosylated FSH (DiGlycFSH) and
tetraglycosylated FSH (TetGlycFSH). The
DiGlycFSH contains carbohydrates on the α
subunit only, while TetGlycFSH has carbohydrates
on both α and β subunits. Pituitary extraction of
FSH shows that in young reproductive age women,
the DiGlycFSH is more abundant than
TetGlycFSH, whereas post menopausal women
have more pituitary TetGlycFSH. Bioassay of
DiGlycFSH shows that it has greater biological
activity than TetGlycFSH. Due to limited
availability of DiGlycFSH, bacterial expression of
recombinant human (h)FSH (rec hFSH) is needed
to provide sufficient glycoform for structural and
biological studies. We report our efforts towards
synthesis of DiGlycFSH, which involves
expression of rec hFSHβ, separation, purification
from soluble and insoluble fractions, folding, and
reassociation with human chorionic gonadotropin
(hCGα). Protein function will be characterized by
receptor binding and steroidogenesis assays.
Description
Paper presented to the 4th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Wichita State University, April 25, 2008.
Research completed at the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences