Gonadotropin gene targeting and biological implications.
Pituitary gonadotropins FSH and LH are heterodimeric glycoproteins consisting of a common alpha and a hormone-specific beta subunit that are non-covalently linked. These hormones orchestrate gonadal growth, differentiation, and function by regulating both steroid-ogenesis and gametogenesis. Advances in the past two decades in manipulating the mouse genome by site-specific mutagenesis have heralded a new dimension to our understanding of the biology of gonadotropins. Using these gene-targeting approaches, knockout mice lacking the hormone-specific gonadotropin subunits, and hence the functional dimeric hormones, have been generated. These individual gonadotropin-deficient mice are useful to delineate the distinct in vivo biological roles of FSH and LH. These mice also serve as valuable genetic tools to study the signaling mechanisms within the gonads and help a better understanding of some forms of human infertility.
Kumar
T Rajendra
TR
Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, 66160, USA. tkumar@kumc.edu
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000235:genetics; D018390:Gene Targeting; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits / Q000235:genetics*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D023421:Models, Animal; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits