Cloning and DNA sequence analysis of the cDNA for the precursor of porcine follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) beta subunit.

A cDNA library of porcine anterior pituitary was constructed in an expression vector lambda gt11. The cDNAs encoding the porcine follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH) beta subunit were obtained using anti-human FSH beta antiserum or synthetic oligonucleotide. The nucleotide sequence of the pFSH beta subunit cDNA clone (929 base) has been determined. The cDNA contained a part of the signal sequence (six amino acids) and the whole amino acid sequence of the mature molecule (109 amino acids). The predicted protein sequence was different from that of the amino acid sequence analysis in ten residues and had an extended carboxyl terminus. Northern analysis showed that the length of the pFSH greater than subunit mRNA was about 1.8 kb.