title: Structure-function relationship of follicle-stimulating hormone and its receptor.
abstract: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is one of the two pituitary gonadotrophins involved in the regulation of gonadal function. Structurally, this gonadotrophin is a heterodimer composed of two non-covalently associated subunits containing several heterogenous oligosaccharide residues which play an important role in both the in-vivo and in-vitro bioactivity of the hormone. Its cognate receptor, which belongs to the superfamily of the G protein-linked cell surface receptors, also displays a high degree of functional and molecular complexity. Studies employing monoclonal antibodies, synthetic peptides and/or site directed mutagenesis, have unveiled some of the multiple structural determinants involved in FSH and FSH receptor function and interaction. Despite their structural complexity, both molecules exhibit a high degree of plasticity and diversity that allows formation of distinct ligand-receptor complexes capable of selectively activating or deactivating a variety of signalling pathways. Knowledge and mapping of the structural determinants and functional epitopes for intra- and extracellular hormone action are of paramount importance not only for a better and more detailed understanding of the molecular basis of FSH action and FSH receptor function but also for the rational design of analogues with predicted properties and effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición SZ, México DF, México. aulloaa@buzon.main.conacyt.mx
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ulloa-Aguirre
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Timossi
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002236:Carbohydrate Conformation; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone