Regulation of the synthesis of human chorionic gonadotropin by strains of HeLa cells in culture.

Thirty-seven strains of HeLa cells were examined for their ability to synthesize human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its alpha subunit (hCG-alpha) in culture. Synthesis of hCG-alpha and hCG also was investigated in the presence of sodium butyrate and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd). All HeLa strains synthetized hCG-alpha in culture. Sodium butyrate increased the synthesis of hCG-alpha in all HeLa cells; BrdUrd increased synthesis in 32 of the 37 strains examined. Although few HeLa strains synthesized hCG in the absence of inducers, hCG was detected in most strains in the presence of sodium butyrate. The synthesis of hCG and its alpha subunit is, therefore, a stable genetic characteristic of HeLa cells.