Recombinant Human HCG Beta Chain – Purified

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is comprised of two subunits: 1) the alpha subunit (14.5 kDa), which is also found in LH, FSH, and TSH, and 2) the beta subunit (hCGβ, 22.2 kDa), which is unique to hCG. In normal physiology, hCG is produced by syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells in the placenta during pregnancy, where it promotes progesterone production and embryo implantation through interaction with its ligand LHCGR, among numerous other functions (1,2).

Free hCGβ is an alternatively glycosylated variant of hCG that acts as an LHCGR agonist and a TGFβ antagonist (2). Some research suggests a link between increased circulating hCGβ and gestational hypertension (3), as well as between hCGβ and Down’s syndrome (4). Further, free hCGβ promotes cancer cell growth and malignancy, with multiple studies showing a correlation between free hCGβ levels and poor prognosis (5).

Other variants of hCGβ have also been implicated in cancer progression. In pregnancy, hyperglycosylated hCG acts on cytotrophoblast cells via autocrine signaling to decrease apoptosis and promote embryo implantation/invasion (1,2). Choriocarcinomas and germ cell tumors therefore secrete large amounts of hyperglycosylated hCG to take advantage of these natural functions (3,6). hCG is also known to have immunomodulatory functions, essential during pregnancy to promote maternal tolerance of the embryo (2).

1082

SKEPLRPRCRPINATLAVEKEGCPVCITVNTTICAGYCPTMTRVLQGVLPALPQVVCNYRDVRFESIRLPGCPRGVNPVVSYAVALSCQCALCRRSTTDCGGPKDHPLTCDDPRFQDSSSSKAPPPSLPSPSRLPGPSDTPILPQ

G-(NANP)3-Human HCG beta

22kDa

Lyophilized from a sterile-filtered solution in Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) containing 5% Trehalose.

Reconstitute at 0.1-1 mg/ml using filtered deionized water. Gently mix by vortexing and/or inversion until fully dissolved. Centrifuge if necessary.

This lyophilized protein is stable for twelve months when stored at -20°C. After aseptic reconstitution, this protein may be stored for one month at 2°C to 8°C or for three months at -20°C to -70°C in a manual defrost freezer. Avoid Repeated Freeze Thaw Cycles.

Ambient

LHCGR (luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor)

P0DN86

HPLC

1. Cole L. A. (2010). Biological functions of hCG and hCG-related molecules. Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 8, 102.

2. d’Hauterive, S. P., Close, R., Gridelet, V., Mawet, M., Nisolle, M., & Geenen, V. (2022). Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Early Embryogenesis: Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(3), 1380.

3. Wang, R., Chen, L., Wang, X., & Liu, Y. (2021). Association between serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and inflammation, oxidative stress in pregnancy-induced hypertension. Microvascular research, 135, 104130.

4. Ballantyne, A., Rashid, L., & Pattenden, R. (2022). Stability of maternal serum free β-hCG following whole blood sample transit: First trimester Down’s syndrome screening in Scotland. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, 59(1), 87-91.

5. Iles, R. K. (2007). Ectopic hCGβ expression by epithelial cancer: malignant behaviour, metastasis and inhibition of tumor cell apoptosis. Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 260, 264-270.

6. Cole, L. A., & Butler, S. A. (2008). Hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin free beta-subunit: tumor markers and tumor promoters. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 53(7), 499-512.