Genomics and Genetics of Gonadotropin Beta-subunit Genes: Unique FSHB and Duplicated LHB/CGB Loci

Overview

Journal Mol Cell Endocrinol

Specialties Cell Biology
Endocrinology
Molecular Biology

Date 2010 May 22

PMID 20488225

Citations 28

Authors

Liina Nagirnaja

Kristiina Rull

Liis Uuskula

Pille Hallast

Marina Grigorova

Maris Laan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) play a critical role in human reproduction. Despite the common evolutionary ancestry and functional relatedness of the gonadotropin hormone beta (GtHB) genes, the single-copy FSHB (at 11p13) and the multi-copy LHB/CGB genes (at 19q13.32) exhibit locus-specific differences regarding their genomic context, evolution, genetic variation and expressional profile. FSHB represents a conservative vertebrate gene with a unique function and it is located in a structurally stable gene-poor region. In contrast, the primate-specific LHB/CGB gene cluster is located in a gene-rich genomic context and demonstrates an example of evolutionary young and unstable genomic region. The gene cluster is shaped by a constant balance between selection that acts on specific functions of the loci and frequent gene conversion events among duplicons. As the transcription of the GtHB genes is rate-limiting in the assembly of respective hormones, the genomic and genetic context of the FSHB and the LHB/CGB genes largely affects the profile of the hormone production.

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