Measurement of the free alpha subunit of human glycoprotein hormones by a monoclonal antibody-based immunoradiometric assay, and further exploration of antigenic sites on the choriogonadotropin molecule.

Three monoclonal antibodies were raised against the free alpha subunit of choriogonadotropin (hCG); each recognized a different antigenic site on the molecule. One (antibody 42) preferentially bound to the alpha subunit when it was coupled to the beta subunit as dimeric choriogonadotropin (hCG), thyrotropin (TSH), lutropin (LH), or follitropin (FSH). Antibody 71 showed some cross-reaction with intact FSH; antibody 75 was more specific for the alpha subunit. All were of low affinity (10(-7) to 10(-8) mol/L), but when combined in immunoradiometric assays (IRMAS) they proved to be as sensitive as current radioimmunoassays involving polyclonal antibodies. Advantages of the combination of antibody 75 bound to the solid phase and antibody 71 as the radiolabeled antibody were: detection limit of at least 0.1 micrograms/L; linear dilution of serum and urine; insignificant cross-reaction with intact hCG, allowing direct assay in pregnancy fluids; and a coefficient of variation less than 3% over the reference interval for nonpregnant women. There was 4% cross-reaction with intact FSH, suggesting that the epitopes recognized by nos. 71 and 75 are more exposed in FSH and that perhaps there is less folding in this molecule than in intact hCG.