Single-chain beta subunit dimers of the glycoprotein hormones and recombinant materials related thereto

摘要

Single-chain forms of the glycoprotein hormone quartet, at least some members of which are found in most vertebrates, are disclosed. In one embodiment of these single-chain forms, the alpha and beta subunits of the wild-type heterodimers or their variants are covalently linked, optionally through a linker moiety. A drug may further be included within the linker moiety to be targeted to receptors for these hormones. Some of the single-chain forms are agonists and others antagonists of the glycoprotein hormone activity. Another embodiment of the single-chain compounds of the invention comprises two beta subunits of the glycoprotein hormones, which beta subunits are the same or different. These "two- beta " forms are antagonists of glycoprotein hormone activity.