Luteinizing hormone beta polypeptide

Luteinizing hormone subunit beta also known as lutropin subunit beta is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the LHB is_associated_with::gene.

Gene
The genes for the beta chains of is_associated_with::chorionic gonadotropin and for is_associated_with::luteinizing hormone are contiguous on chromosome 19q13.3. In equines, this subunit is encoded by the same gene as the beta subunit of chorionic gonadatropin, subunits which are identical.

Function
This gene is a member of the is_associated_with::glycoprotein hormone beta chain family and encodes the beta subunit of is_associated_with::luteinizing hormone (LH). Glycoprotein hormones are is_associated_with::heterodimers consisting of a common alpha subunit and a unique beta subunit (this protein) which confers biological specificity. LH is expressed in the is_associated_with::pituitary gland and promotes is_associated_with::spermatogenesis and is_associated_with::ovulation by stimulating the is_associated_with::testes and is_associated_with::ovaries to synthesize steroids.

Clinical significance
Mutations in this gene are associated with is_associated_with::hypogonadism which is characterized by infertility and is_associated_with::pseudohermaphroditism.