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Biology of Reproduction 65, 1686-1690 (2001)
© 2001 Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.

Regular Article

Equine Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: Molecular Cloning of ß Subunit and Biological Role of the Asparagine-Linked Oligosaccharide at Asparagine56 of {alpha} Subunit1

Takeo Saneyoshia, Kwan-Sik Mina, Xiao Jing Maa, Yasuo Nambob, Takashi Hiyamaa, Satoshi Tanakaa, and Kunio Shiota2,a

a Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Animal Resource Sciences/Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan b Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan

Equine FSH (eFSH) and eCG are members of the glycoprotein hormone family. These proteins are heterodimeric, composed of noncovalently associated {alpha} and ß subunits. We have previously reported that recombinant eCG has potent LH- and FSH-like activities and that the oligosaccharide at Asn56 of the {alpha} subunit plays an indispensable role in expressing LH- but not FSH-like activity. In the present study, we cloned eFSH ß subunit cDNA and expressed wild-type recombinant eFSH and a partially deglycosylated mutant FSH (eFSH {alpha}56/ß) to investigate the biological role of the oligosaccharide at Asn56 in FSH activity. The wild-type eFSH and eCG stimulated estradiol production in a dose-dependent manner in the primary cultures of rat granulosa cells, indicating that these equine gonadotropins have FSH activity. Partially deglycosylated eCG (eCG {alpha}56/ß) also stimulated estradiol production, confirming that the FSH-like activity of eCG is resistant to the removal of the N-linked oligosaccharide. Partially deglycosylated eFSH (eFSH {alpha}56/ß), however, did not show any FSH activity, indicating that the oligosaccharide at Asn56 was necessary for eFSH. Thus, FSH-like activities of two gonadotropins, eCG and eFSH, are evoked through the distinct molecular mechanisms regarding the biological role of oligosaccharide at Asn56 of the {alpha} subunit.

First decision: 19 February 2001.

1 This work was supported in part by the Program for Promotion of Basic Research Activities for Innovative Biosciences, by the Research for the Future Program, The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS-RFTF97L00904), and by a Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan (11794010).

2 Correspondence: Kunio Shiota, Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Animal Resource Sciences/Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Tokyo, 1–1–1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan. FAX: 81 3 5841 8189; ashiota{at}mail.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp






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Copyright © 2001 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.