DISCORDANT SYNTHESIS AND SECRETION OF HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN AND SUBUNITS BY CERVICAL-CARCINOMA CELLS

Abstract

Epidermoid carcinoma of the cervix cell lines DoT and CaSki were examined for the production of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and its subunits (HCG-.alpha. and HCG-.beta.). The effect of butyrate and other regulatory agents on synthesis and secretion was investigated. Media and cell lysates were analyzed by radioimmunoassay for HCG and HCG-.beta. and by radioreceptor assay for intact HCG. Although DoT and CaSki cells secreted more HCG-.beta. than HCG, the cell lysates contained only 1/2 as much HCG-.beta. as HCG. This raises the possibility that HCG-.alpha. synthesis may be limiting to the formation of intact HCG in DoT and CaSki cell lines. These results also indicate discordance in HCG and HCG-.beta. production in response to butyrate. Whereas the production of HCG-.beta. was increased by 5 mM sodium butyrate, the synthesis and secretion of intact hCG were decreased. These results support the concept of independent regulation of .alpha.- and .beta.-subunit synthesis and secretion.