The production of active human thyroid-stimulating hormone from alpha and beta mRNAs in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Active human thyroid-stimulating hormone (hTSH) was produced by Xenopus laevis oocytes following injection of an mRNA mixture of hTSH beta and alpha subunits synthesized by T3 RNA polymerase. Some of the hTSH molecules were secreted into the medium, while others remained in the cells. The active molecules consisted of alpha and beta subunits and were in highly glycosylated form. The Xenopus laevis oocyte-produced hTSH stimulated the rat thyroid cell line FRTL-5 to produce and secrete the cyclic AMP as does authentic hTSH.