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Comparison of chorionic gonadotropin expression in human and macaque ( Macaca fascicularis ) trophoblasts
Author(s) -
Wilken Jason A.,
Matsumoto Kikuko,
Laughlin Lisa S.,
Lasley Bill L.,
Bedows Elliott
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
american journal of primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.988
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1098-2345
pISSN - 0275-2565
DOI - 10.1002/ajp.1066
Subject(s) - macaque , rhesus macaque , human chorionic gonadotropin , biology , gonadotropin , medicine , endocrinology , expression (computer science) , andrology , physiology , zoology , hormone , ecology , immunology , computer science , programming language
We have designed novel DNA primers that allow us to detect the expression of the subunits of chorionic gonadotropin (CG) from a variety of species of the order Primates. Using these primers, reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and standard cloning techniques, we detected the expression of a single gene for the common glycoprotein hormone (GPH) α‐subunit and at least two genes for the CG β‐subunit in trophoblasts of Macaca fascicularis (cynomolgous macaque (cm)) at gestational day (GD) = 26 (± 2d). No cmCG expression was detected at GD = 35–40. When sequences of cmGPH‐α and cmCG‐β genes were compared to the corresponding genes of other primates, we found that the α‐subunit of M. fascicularis was highly conserved compared to other primate species. However, cmCG β‐subunits appeared to be less conserved, residing between those of human CG‐β and baboon CG‐β when analyzed phylogenetically. Of particular interest was a three amino acid stretch in one of the expressed cmCG‐β genes that is distinct from all other primates studied. Our findings imply that not only does the expression of multiple CG β‐subunit genes appear to be common to Old World monkeys, but that the presented methodology will greatly facilitate our ability to understand primate evolution. Am. J. Primatol. 56:89–97, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.