Isolation of a gene encoding human thyrotropin beta subunit
AssigneeSloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research
InventorsIone A. Kourides, Graham Kerr Whitfield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The gene expressing the beta subunit of human thyroid stimulating hormone has been isolated. The gene has been incorporated into plasmid pBR322. Vectors can be used to transform cells which in turn produce pure beta subunits. The beta subunits can then be combined with the alpha subunit of human glycoprotein hormones to produce pure thyroid stimulating hormone.
Claims19
Substantially pure DNA expressing the Beta subunit of human thyroid stimulating hormone.
Genetically engineered plasmids comprising DNA expressing human thyroid stimulating hormone beta subunits.
Genetically engineered vectors useful in transforming eukaryotic cells wherein said vectors comprise DNA expressing hTSH-β subunits.
Transformed cells which express human thyroid stimulating hormone beta subunits.
A method of determining the cause of thyroid gland failure comprising administering to a patient human thyroid stimulating hormone prepared by recombinant DNA technology and observing whether or not administration of said thyroid stimulating hormone results in a change in the activity of said patient's thyroid gland, change indicating that said thyroid failure results from central pituitary or hypothalamic disease, and no change indicating primary thyroid failure.
Substantially pure human thyroid stimulating hormone comprising genetically engineered beta subunits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.