Cloning of the Elk Common Glycoprotein .ALPHA.-subunit and the FSH and LH .BETA.-subunit cDNAs

Abstract

We report the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the pituitary glycoprotein hormone common alpha-subunit, and the FSH and LH beta-subunits of the elk (Cervus elaphus). These sequences were obtained by RT-PCR of pituitary gland polyadenylated RNA. A partial genomic fragment of the elk follicle stimulating hormone beta-subunit was also amplified from genomic DNA and sequenced. These sequences show high similarity to other related domestic species, including sika deer, ovine, bovine, porcine and equine. The presently reported cDNAs were used as probes for Northern analysis of pituitary gland and muscle samples from elk and sheep. Mature mRNA transcripts of approximately 700, 1700 and 550 bases were expressed in the pituitary gland but not in muscle tissue, for the glycoprotein hormone common alpha-subunit and FSH and LH beta-subunits, respectively. These observations are consistent with reports for other related species. The genomic fragment of elk FSH beta-subunit revealed an intronic microsatellite of 6 CT repeats, which differs from the 19 CT repeats documented for the sheep genomic sequence. We propose that differences in the CT repeats of the elk FSH beta-subunit gene may be used as a marker for elk parentage testing. The elk DNA sequences presently reported represent a unique addition to the growing collection of the pituitary hormone genes for various vertebrates, which will facilitate evolutionary and phylogenetic studies of the gonadotropin genes. In addition, this information and the cloned cDNAs will be useful for studying seasonal expression of the elk pituitary glycoprotein genes.