Functional characterization of the TSHR/FSHR chimeras.

COS-7 cells were transiently transfected with the respective DNA constructs. The cell surface expression of all characterized chimeras were normalized to the wild type receptor containing the respective transmembrane domain. Values for intracellular cAMP accumulation are given in nM and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the GraphPad Prism 4.0 software. EC50 marked with ° are estimated values because dose-response curves did not reach a plateau. Data are summarized of at least three independent experiments, each carried out in duplicates. The pcDNA3.1/Zeo(−) vector was used as a control. Statistical analysis for cell surface expression and specific binding capacity was carried out as described in Material and Methods. * 0.01–0.05 significant. ** 0.001–0.01 very significant. *** Functional characterization of the TSHR/FSHR chimeras.