Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and hyperglycosylated hCG, seven semi-independent critical molecules: A review.

Abstract

hCG exists in two analogous structures, as typified by the hormone hCG which binds an LH/hCG hormone receptor and the TGFß receptor binding autocrine hyperglycosylated hCG. Both share a common α-subunit and ß-subunit amino acid sequence. From the common hormone hCG and autocrine hyperglycosylated hCG structures there are seven common hCG variants with wildly varying hormone hCG or autocrine hyperglycosylated hCG functions. There is placental hormone hCG and placental autocrine hyperglycosylated hCG which together control pregnancy and start hemochorial placentation during pregnancy. There is pituitary sulfated hCG, part of the hormone hCG library which works with LH in driving ovarian steroidogenesis, ovulation and luteogenesis. Fetal hCG a fetal hormone that promotes fetal organ growth during pregnancy, and ovarian hyperglycosylated hCG which drive the final proteolytic enzyme step of ovulation. Cancer hyperglycosylated hCG and cancer hyperglycosylated hCG free ß-subunit drive malignancy in most cancers. The seven variants of hCG drive critical functions during pregnancy, cancer and other bodily functions.