Human chorionic gonadotropin

Human chorionic gonadotropin
chorionic gonadotropin,
alpha polypeptide
HCG structure.png
Identifiers
Symbol CGA
Alt. symbols FSHA, GPHa, GPHA1, HCG, LHA, TSHA
Entrez 1081
HUGO 1885
OMIM 118850
RefSeq NM_000735
UniProt P01215
Other data
Locus Chr. 6 q14-q21
chorionic gonadotropin,
beta polypeptide
Identifiers
Symbol CGB
Alt. symbols CGB3
Entrez 1082
HUGO 1886
OMIM 118860
RefSeq NM_000737
UniProt P01233
Other data
Locus Chr. 19 q13.3

Human chorionic gonadotropin or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone produced during pregnancy that is made by the developing embryo after conception and later by the syncytiotrophoblast (part of the placenta).[1][2]. Some tumors make this hormone; measured elevated levels when the patient is not pregnant can lead to a cancer diagnosis. However, it is not known whether this production is a contributing cause or an effect of tumorigenesis. The pituitary analog of hCG, known as luteinizing hormone (LH), is produced in the pituitary gland of males and females of all ages.[1][3] Since the mid-20th century, hCG has been promoted as a supplement to promote weight loss, though there has been no proof that it is effective or safe.

Contents

Structure

Human chorionic gonadotropin is a glycoprotein composed of 244 amino acids with a molecular mass of 36.7 kDa.[4]

It is heterodimeric, with an α (alpha) subunit identical to that of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and β (beta) subunit that is unique to hCG.

  • The α (alpha) subunit is 92 amino acids long. The sequence of the alpha unit can be found on UniProtKB with ID: P01215[25-116].

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • human chorionic gonadotropin — n a glycoprotein hormone similar in structure to luteinizing hormone that is secreted by the placenta during early pregnancy to maintain corpus luteum function and stimulate placental progesterone production, is found in the urine and blood serum …   Medical dictionary

  • human chorionic gonadotropin — n. HCG …   English World dictionary

  • Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) — A human hormone made by chorionic cells in the fetal part of the placenta. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is directed at the gonads and stimulates them. Hence, the name gonadotropin. The presence of hCG is detectable by immunologic means… …   Medical dictionary

  • human chorionic gonadotropin — noun hormone produced early in pregnancy by the placenta; detection in the urine and serum is the basis for one kind of pregnancy test • Syn: ↑human chorionic gonadotrophin, ↑HCG • Hypernyms: ↑gonadotropin, ↑gonadotrophin, ↑gonadotropic hormone,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • human chorionic gonadotropin — Biochem. See chorionic gonadotropin (def. 1). Abbr.: hCG * * * …   Universalium

  • human chorionic gonadotropin — noun a hormone produced by the placenta and fertilised egg after implantation in the wall of the uterus, used as an indicator for pregnancy testing. Abbrev.: HCG Also, human chorionic gonadotrophin …  

  • human chorionic gonadotropin — (HCG)    A gonadotropic and leuteotropic hormone secreted by the chorionic vesicle …   Forensic science glossary

  • Hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) — A human hormone made by chorionic cells in the fetal part of the placenta. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is directed at the gonads and stimulates them. Hence, the name gonadotropin. The presence of hCG is detectable by immunologic means… …   Medical dictionary

  • human chorionic gonadotropin — noun Date: 1977 a glycoprotein hormone similar in structure to luteinizing hormone that is secreted by the placenta during early pregnancy to maintain corpus luteum function and is commonly tested for as an indicator of pregnancy …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • human chorionic gonadotropin — noun A peptide hormone, produced during pregnancy, that prevents the breakdown of the corpus luteum and maintains progesterone production …   Wiktionary

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