| Abstract: | The biological properties of recombinants of glycoprotein hormones in which the alpha and beta subunits were differentially deglycosylated have been investigated. Specific deglycosylation of the alpha subunit generated a recombinant that had more receptor-binding activity but did not produce hormone response in the target cells. The deglycosylated alpha + beta recombinant was also an antagonist of the action of the native hormone. Thus, the carbohydrates in the alpha subunit play a dominant role in the transduction of the hormone signal into the cell. |
