O. Caticha et al., THE PRESENCE OF A HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN-LIKE PROTEIN AND ITS BINDING-SITE IN SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE, Endocrine research, 20(1), 1994, pp. 21-37
In this study, we characterize from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: 1) a pro
tein that has immunological similarities to human chorionic gonadotrop
in (hCG), and 2) a binding site for this hCG-like protein which also b
inds hCG and human luteinizing hormone (hLH). Saccharomyces cerevisiae
chorionic gonadotropin-like protein (ScCGLP) was purified in several
steps. This protein when analyzed by SDS-PAGE, under nondenaturing con
ditions, produced two bands, one at 110-kDa, and another at 57.5-kDa.
Under denaturing conditions, only the 57.5-kDa band appeared, This 57.
5-kDa band also reacted in a western blot, using a polyclonal antibody
directed against hCG. Purified ScCGLP reacted in the following hCG im
munoassays: 1) polyclonal rabbit anti-hCG equilibrium assay, 2) carbox
yl-tail hCG equilibrium assay, 3) two equilibrium assays using monoclo
nal antibodies, and 4) free alpha-chain subunit equilibrium assay usin
g a monoclonal antibody. Characterization of hCG/hLH binding sites in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae was performed, and the ability of the ScCGLP
to displace I-125-hCG was also shown. Human CG and hLH were able to co
mpete for I-125-hCG binding to Saccharomyces cerevisiae blastospores (
Kds of approximately 10(-8) M), while ScCGLP competed with higher affi
nity (Kd 9.41 x 10(-10) M). The hCG-like immunoactivity was also prese
nt in saccharomyces growth media, as well as in all brands of commerci
al beer studied.