Glycoprotein hormones alpha chain
experimentalAlso known as: Anterior pituitary glycoprotein hormones common subunit alpha, Choriogonadotropin alpha chain, Chorionic gonadotrophin subunit alpha, Follicle-stimulating hormone alpha chain, Follitropin alpha chain, Luteinizing hormone alpha chain, Lutropin alpha chain, Thyroid-stimulating hormone alpha chain, Thyrotropin alpha chain, CGA, P01215
The glycoprotein hormones alpha chain (CGA) is a 92-amino-acid polypeptide that serves as the common alpha subunit for the heterodimeric hormones thyrotropin (TSH), lutropin (LH), follitropin (FSH), and choriogonadotropin (CG). Its mechanism of action is structural: it non-covalently associates with a hormone-specific beta subunit to form the active heterodimer. The alpha chain is essential for receptor binding and signal transduction at respective G protein-coupled receptors, including the TSH receptor, LH/CG receptor, and FSH receptor. Without this shared subunit, none of these hormones can exert their endocrine functions. Current research on CGA is experimental, with limited published data. The three PubMed references likely focus on its role in hormone assembly, post-translational glycosylation, or mutations affecting fertility and thyroid function. Studies may explore how alterations in the alpha chain impact heterodimer stability or receptor activation, but no clinical applications have been established. The peptide is not approved for therapeutic use. Clinically, CGA is relevant as a biomarker for certain tumors (e.g., choriocarcinoma) and as a component of diagnostic assays for pituitary and gonadal function. However, its experimental status precludes direct clinical application. For research purposes only — not medical advice.
Key data
MDYYRKYAAIFLVTLSVFLHVLHSAPDVQDCPECTLQENPFFSQPGAPILQCMGCCFSRAYPTPLRSKKTMLVQKNVTSESTCCVAKSYNRVTVMGGFKVENHTACHCSTCYYHKSMechanism of action
Shared alpha chain of the active heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones thyrotropin/thyroid stimulating hormone/TSH, lutropin/luteinizing hormone/LH, follitropin/follicle stimulating hormone/FSH and choriogonadotropin/CG. These hormones bind specific receptors on target cells that in turn activate downstream signaling pathways
Research & studies
97 protein assays (1.4%) corresponding to 87 unique proteins significantly differed between fetal death cases and controls, with 72% less abundant and 26% more abundant in cases.; Adding up to 50 proteins to placental growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 increased AUC from 72% to 86% and sensitivity from 53% to 74% at a 10% false-positive rate.; Top candidate biomarkers for improving discrimination were glycoprotein hormones alpha chain (CGA), DnaJ homolog subfamily B member 9 (DNAJB9), and DNA-directed RNA polymerase III subunit RPC10 (POLR3K).; Proteomic changes in fetal death with preeclampsia correlated with late preeclampsia leading to live birth (r=0.78), but some proteins were uniquely dysregulated in preeclampsia leading to fetal death.
Energy deprivation significantly decreased egg laying rate, ovarian index, and follicle numbers, which recovered after refeeding.; Estradiol, estradiol-to-progesterone ratio, and luteinizing hormone decreased with energy deprivation, while follicle-stimulating hormone showed an opposite pattern.; Transcriptome analysis showed downregulation of genes for energy and appetite-regulated neurotransmitter receptors and neuropeptides in the hypothalamus.; Suppression of the HPO axis via reduced GnRH secretion and downstream genes impaired ovarian function through steroidogenesis and ECM-receptor interaction.
Patient with SLE had acquired TSH, LH, and FSH deficiencies with pituitary atrophy on MRI.; Serum CGA levels were below detectable range.; Patient's IgG bound to CGA-positive pituitary cells, indicating autoimmune attack.; This case introduces a novel concept of acquired hypopituitarism due to anti-CGA cell antibodies.
Frequently asked questions
What is Glycoprotein hormones alpha chain?
The glycoprotein hormones alpha chain (CGA) is a 92-amino-acid polypeptide that serves as the common alpha subunit for the heterodimeric hormones thyrotropin (TSH), lutropin (LH), follitropin (FSH), and choriogonadotropin (CG). Its mechanism of action is structural: it non-covalently associates with a hormone-specific
How does Glycoprotein hormones alpha chain work?
Shared alpha chain of the active heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones thyrotropin/thyroid stimulating hormone/TSH, lutropin/luteinizing hormone/LH, follitropin/follicle stimulating hormone/FSH and choriogonadotropin/CG. These hormones bind specific receptors on target cells that in turn activate downstream signaling pathways
What is the research status of Glycoprotein hormones alpha chain?
Glycoprotein hormones alpha chain is currently classified as experimental, with 3 research references on record. This is for research purposes only and is not medical advice.
What is the molecular weight of Glycoprotein hormones alpha chain?
Glycoprotein hormones alpha chain has a molecular weight of approximately 13075 g/mol.
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