Cloning of the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) follicle stimulating hormone beta subunit

The cDNA encoding the follicle stimulating hormone beta subunit (FSH-beta) was isolated from a red kangaroo pituitary cDNA library by using a porcine probe and the nucleotide sequence for the coding region was determined. The highest degree of deduced amino acid sequence identity (91%) was observed between the red kangaroo and another marsupial, the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), followed by eutherian species (76%, 75% and 74%, respectively, for pig, mouse and sheep). Based on the deduced red kangaroo FSH-beta amino acid sequence, putative antigenic sites have been identified that may prove useful for studying the hormonal control of reproduction in marsupials.