Expression and characterization of recombinant β-subunit hCG homodimer

We have linked two human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) β-subunit cDNAs in tandem such that the expressed fusion protein consists of two mature β- subunits joined through the carboxy terminal peptide of the first β-subunit. A single glycine residue is inserted between the two subunits in the fusion protein. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transformed with a clone that contains the fused cDNAs express and secrete a protein that is consistent with it being a β-hCG homodimer protein. These β-homodimer molecules can recombine with two free α-subunits indicating that both β-subunits within the homodimer are likely folded in their native conformation. Our data also suggest that the two β-subunits fold upon each other as a globular protein and do not appear to exist as a simple fusion of two linear β-subunits. Furthermore, the two β-monomer subunits in the fusion protein form a stable homodimer that can bind and activate the hLH/CG receptor specifically. Recombination of the fusion protein with α-subunits appears to favor an arrangement where two α-subunits combine with a single molecule of the fusion protein. The recombined molecule consists of four subunits and is comparable to two tethered hCG moieties, which constitutes a hCG dimer. This hormone dimer can bind and activate the hLH/CG receptor with an activity approximating that of native hCG.