Chorionic gonadotropin subunit beta 8 (CGB8)

Chorionic gonadotropin subunit beta 8 (CGB8) is a gene encoding one variant of the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a glycoprotein hormone essential for the maintenance of pregnancy[1][2]. hCG is produced by trophoblastic cells of the human placenta during pregnancy, and its beta subunit confers biological specificity by binding to the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor in the ovaries, stimulating steroid hormone production to maintain the corpus luteum and progesterone synthesis[1][2][4]. CGB8 is one of six highly homologous genes encoding the beta subunit of hCG, with CGB, CGB5, CGB7, and CGB8 producing biochemically functional protein, while CGB1 and CGB2 do not[2]. The gene is structurally related to the beta subunit of human luteinizing hormone due to evolutionary gene duplication. Mutations in CGB8 are rare but may contribute to reproductive pathologies such as recurrent miscarriage, though these variants are often functionally neutral or only mildly deleterious[3]. The hCG beta subunit (as produced by genes including CGB8) is a major clinical biomarker for pregnancy and certain cancers[4].

Other names

Choriogonadotropin subunit beta 3CGB3CGBCG-betaChoriogonadotropin subunit betaChorionic gonadotropin chain betaChorionic gonadotropin, beta polypeptide 8Chorionic gonadotropin beta 8 subunitChorionic gonadotropin beta subunit 8

Not applicable to CGB8 directly Drugs (e.g., hCG preparations) stimulate steroidogenesis by binding to the LH/hCG receptor[4]