Evidence for Only Oneβ-Luteinizing Hormone and Noβ-Chorionic Gonadotropin Gene in the Rat*

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Abstract
The rat genome and placenta were examined for the presence of a mRNA or gene which codes for a protein identical or similar to the .beta.-subunit of LH [lutenizing hormone]. A c[complementary]DNA clone was isolated that encodes for amino acids 44 through 121 of the mature .beta.-subunit of rat LH (rLH). This r.beta.LH cDNA was used as a hybridization probe to study the structure of the gene(s) which encode for the .beta.-subunit of either LH or a LH-like protein in the rat genome. Restriction enzyme digestion analysis of rat genomic DNA using Southern blots revealed only 1 fragment that hybridized to 32P-labeled r.beta.LH cDNA. In contrast, restriction enzyme analysis of human and rhesus monkey genomic DNA (known to have both LH and CG) [chorionic gonadotropin] gave multiple fragments which hybridized to a 32P-labeled human .beta.LH DNA. The possibility was also examined of a mRNA which can encode the .beta.-subunit of either LH or CG in the rat placenta. Northern blot analysis of total RNA isolated from rat placenta and rat anterior pituitary revealed that only the anterior pituitary contains a mRNA which is complementary to rLH cDNA. There is only 1 gene which encodes the .beta.-subunit of LH in the rat haploid genome. There is no gene which encodes for a .beta.-subunit of a CG molecule in the rat; there is no mRNA in the rat placenta which encodes for the .beta.-subunit of LH or an LH-like molecule.