Molecular cloning and functional characterization of endogenous recombinant common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) follicle-stimulating hormone.
BACKGROUND
Common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) are readily used in biomedical research. However, superovulation for embryonic stem cell production and developmental research still remain difficult. Inexplicably, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as key player in superovulation has to be administered in extremely high dosages in this non-human primate compared to human.


METHODS
To evaluate whether marmoset FSH (cjFSH) is functionally more competent than its human homologue on the marmoset FSH receptor (cjFSHR), we established in vitro a homologous system characterizing homologous and recombinantly produced cjFSH.


RESULTS
Upon stimulation of two cell lines stably expressing either the marmoset or the human FSH receptor (cj/hFSHR), respectively, the second messenger signaling of the activated receptor displayed no significant difference in ED(50) values. Thermostability of cjFSH was significantly prolonged by roughly 20% on both FSHRs.


CONCLUSIONS
High FSH dosage in marmoset superovulation cannot be explained by enhanced biopotency of the natural animal's gonadotropin.
Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany. mueller.thomas@mh-hannover.de
T
T
Müller
T
T
Hupfeld
J
J
Roessler
M
M
Simoni
J
J
Gromoll
R
R
Behr
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002144:Callithrix / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013480:Superovulation
D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone