Study summary · research use only
Search for peptide immunogens of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) capable of eliciting hormone specific and neutralizing antisera. Identification of an undecapeptide eliciting hCG-specific antisera
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
In this study, the authors sought peptide immunogens of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) able to elicit hormone-specific antisera. Comparing hydrophilicity profiles of hCG-beta and human luteinizing hormone (hLH), they identified two hydrophilic regions unique to hCG-beta (residues 6-12 and 109-119) and focused on the undecapeptide 109-119. The synthesized undecapeptide amide was conjugated to diphtheria toxoid and used to immunize rabbits, both of which produced high antibody titers. The authors report that the antibodies bound hCG but not hLH, indicating region 109-119 as an hCG-specific determinant, but that they did not neutralize hCG biological activity.
Abstract
The work reported herein describes our attempts to identify peptide immunogens of the beta-subunit of the pregnancy-specific placental hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), capable of eliciting hormone specific and neutralizing antisera. Hydrophilicity profiles of the beta-subunits of hCG and the homologous pituitary hormone, human luteinizing hormone (hLH) were compared and two sequences which are hydrophilic but unique to hCG-beta were identified. They are 6-12 and 109-119 of hCG-beta. Results of the studies with the undecapeptide 109-119 of hCG-beta are reported in this paper. The undecapeptide amide was synthesized using the p-(acyloxy) benzhydrylamine resin and antisera to the peptide were elicited in rabbits using the peptide-diphtheria toxoid conjugate. The peptide is highly immunogenic as both the rabbits responded with high titers of antibodies to the peptide. The antipeptide antibodies bound to hCG but not to hLH showing thereby that the region 109-119 of hCG-beta is a unique determinant of hCG. However, the antibodies were found not to neutralize the biological activity of hCG.
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