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Effects of chronic administration of nicotine on prolactin release in the rat: inactivation of prolactin response by repeated injections of nicotine.

The effects of chronic injections of nicotine on nicotine-induced prolactin release in the rat were measured and compared to the effects of this treatment on [3H]acetylcholine binding to nicotinic cholinergic sites in the hypothalamus. Treatment with nicotine for 10 days (s.c. injections twice daily) abolished prolactin release in response to an acute i.v. injection of nicotine given 2, 6 or 8 days after the last of the chronic injections of nicotine. At each of these time points, the binding of [3H]acetylcholine in the hypothalamus from rats treated chronically with nicotine was significantly higher than in the hypothalamus from control rats. By 14 days after the last chronic injection of nicotine, the prolactin response to an acute injection of nicotine was restored. Coinciding with the return of the nicotine-induced prolactin response, the binding of [3H]acetylcholine had returned to control values. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that nicotine inactivates nicotinic cholinergic receptors in brain by an allosteric mechanism, and that prolonged inactivation of nicotinic cholinergic receptors leads to their increased number.

Acetylcholine↗

[Prolactin, bromocriptine and gonadic function in women: recent discoveries. I. The physiology of prolactin and the physiopathology and diagnosis of hyperprolactinaemias].

Estrogens are involved in the regulation of the secretion and release of prolactin, and so are a large number of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. This explains why the circulating level of prolactin is very labile. Most of these elements work by bringing about small changes in the tone of the dopaminergic inhibitor system, which is the principal controlling factor for this hormone. Most hyperprolactinaemias of a pathological nature seem to be the result of a failure of this dopaminergic inhibiting system. Prolactin has a rudimentary luteotrophic function, but it does act as an inhibitor of female gonadic function as soon as the circulating level reaches about 30 ng/ml, and it exerts its effects at two levels--the ovarian and the hypothalamic. Estimating levels of prolactin should be carried out according to a strict protocol so that many causes of non-pathological rise can be excluded. Hyperprolactinaemia should be sought whenever anovulation is found whether it is accompanied by galactorrhoea or not. Certain cases of hyperprolactinaemia are secondary to different types of aetiology which have to be searched for. When confronted with a case of primary hyperprolactinaemia the search should be towards diagnosis of a pituitary adenoma, which is often present although very small. Two examinations that are of most value to diagnose this condition are standard X-rays of the pituitary fossa and scanning tomography.

Adenoma↗

The effect of dopamine on the release of prolactin in sheep with lesions of the hypothetical centre producing prolactin inhibiting factor (PIF).

It has been demonstrated in our previous papers that in the anterior part of medial basal hypothalamus (AM BH) in sheep a stimulating, while in the caudal part of MBH (CMBH) an inhibiting centre of prolactin release are situated. These results suggested that CMBH might be the site of PIF production and prompted us to investigate the effect of dopamine (DA) on the concentration of prolactin in the peripheral blood (p.bl.) in animals in which CMBH had been previously lesioned and this concentration was very high. Microinfusion of L-dopamine into the third cerebral ventricle (c.v.) or into the internal maxillary artery in intact as well as in lesioned lactating ewes depressed distinctly the prolactin level in the p.bl. This action of DA suggests that in the CMBH exists dopaminergic system which itself plays an inhibitory role in the control of prolactin release without involvement of PIF.

Animals↗

Binding and cross-linking of iodinated rat prolactin to rat hepatic prolactin receptor.

Basal parameters for binding and cross-linking of 125I-rat prolactin (rPRL) to lactogenic (PRL) binding species present in crude membrane fraction (CMF) or detergent-solubilized preparations of rat liver have been investigated. (1) The highest specific binding to CMF was obtained with an incubation time of 50 h at 20 degrees C and with a 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer adjusted to pH 8.5. (2) Cross-linking of 125I-rPRL to binding sites in CMF with disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS) showed the autoradiographic appearance of an Mr 40,000 binding species. (3) No specific binding or cross-linking of rPRL was seen in Triton X-100-solubilized CMF. This is probably due to Triton X-100-induced changes in the physical properties of rPRL. (4) Specific binding of 125I-rPRL was detected in CHAPS-solubilized CMF. Following cross-linking the autoradiographic appearance of a binding species with an Mr value of 40,000 was shown. 125I-hGH was cross-linked to three PRL binding species with Mr 82,000, 40,000 and 35,000 in CHAPS-solubilized preparations. (5) In Golgi-enriched low-density membrane preparation 125I-rPRL was cross-linked to Mr 82,000, 40,000 and 35,000 species. It is proposed that the inability of rPRL to be cross-linked to Mr 82,000 and 35,000 species present in CHAPS-solubilized preparation is the result of CHAPS-induced changes of rPRL binding properties and low solubilizing capacity of CHAPS. (6) In conclusion, this study shows that also the iodinated endogenous hormone, rat prolactin, and not only hGH identifies high and low molecular forms of the rat liver prolactin receptor.

Animals↗

Prolactin and prolactin receptor gene polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Genes encoding for prolactin (PRL) and its receptor (PRLR) are possible candidates for multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility. In fact: (1) a prolactin secretion dysfunction has been described in several autoimmune diseases including SLE and MS and their animal models; (2) both PRL and PRLR are structurally related to members of the cytokine/hematopoietin family and have a role in the regulation of the immune response; and (3) both PRL and PRLR genes map in genomic regions that showed linkage with autoimmunity. Prolactin maps on chromosome 6p, about 11-kb telomeric to HLA-DRB1 and PRLR in 5p12-13, which revealed evidence of linkage with MS in different populations. To evaluate a possible role of these two genes in SLE and MS we performed an association study of 19 PRL and PRLR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These were directly searched by DHPLC in a panel of SLE and MS patients and selected from databases and the literature. The SNP allele frequencies were determined on patient and control DNA pools by primer-extension genotyping and HPLC analysis. Moreover a panel of HLA typed SLE and control individuals were individually genotyped for the PRL G-1149T polymorphism previously described to be associated with SLE. No statistically significant difference in the allele distribution was observed for any of the tested variations.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Prolactin receptor signal transduction pathways and actions determined in prolactin receptor knockout mice.

Prolactin-receptor-deficient mice are a good model in which to study the various actions of prolactin. Female homozygous knockout mice are completely infertile and show a lack of mammary development, while hemizogotes are unable to lactate following their first pregnancy. Male and female homozygotes have markedly elevated serum prolactin levels, and in some instances pituitary hyperplasia is present. Maternal behaviour is severely affected in both hemizygous and homozygous animals. Bone formation is reduced in young animals and in adults (males and females). Finally, older males and females show a slight reduction in body weight, which seems to be due to reduced abdominal fat deposition in the knockout animals.

Animals↗

S179D prolactin increases vitamin D receptor and p21 through up-regulation of short 1b prolactin receptor in human prostate cancer cells.

In this study, we further investigated the mechanisms by which pseudophosphorylated prolactin (S179D PRL) inhibits the growth of human prostate cancer cells. When treated with S179D PRL for 3 days, LnCAP cells responded by increasing expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the cell cycle regulatory molecule, p21, whereas PC3 and DU145 cells did not. After 5 days of treatment, both PC3 and DU145 cells responded. Untreated LnCAP cells express the short 1b form (SF1b) of the human prolactin receptor, but DU145 and PC3 cells express only low amounts of this receptor until elevated by treatment with S179D PRL. DU145 and PC3 cells become sensitive to the negative effects of S179D PRL on cell number after induction of the SF1b. Transfection of either SF1b or SF1a into PC3 or DU145 cells made them sensitive to S179D PRL in the 3-day time frame, a finding that was not duplicated by transfection with the long form of the receptor. Treatment of LnCAP cells with S179D PRL increased long-term activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). This did not occur in PC3 and DU145 cells until transfection with SF1a/SF1b. Blockade of ERK signaling eliminated S179D PRL-stimulated expression of the VDR and p21 in LnCAP cells and transfected PC3 and DU145 cells. We conclude that initiation of alternative splicing to produce SF1b, and subsequent altered signaling, contribute to the growth inhibitory mechanisms of S179D PRL. This is the first indication of a role for short prolactin receptors in the regulation of cell proliferation.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Effects of photoperiod during the dry period on prolactin, prolactin receptor, and milk production of dairy cows.

Cows exposed to short day photoperiod during the dry period produce significantly more milk in their subsequent lactation than cows exposed to long days. The mechanism(s) underlying this effect are unknown. Because concentrations of prolactin (PRL) in circulation are consistently affected by changes in photoperiod, we hypothesized that alterations in the prolactin axis and sensitivity of the mammary gland to prolactin signaling may mediate photoperiodic effects in dry cows. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of exposure to different lengths of daylight during the dry period on circulating PRL and PRL receptor (PRL-R) mRNA expression in lymphocytes and mammary tissue during the transition to lactation. Multiparous Holstein cows were dried off 62 d before calving and assigned to long day (16 h light: 8 h dark) or short day photoperiod (8 h light: 16 h dark). During the dry period, PRL and PRL-R mRNA were analyzed biweekly in plasma and lymphocytes, respectively. Expression of PRL-R mRNA was assessed in mammary biopsies during the dry and periparturient periods. Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded through 21 d of lactation, and milk yield was recorded until 120 d in milk. Short day photoperiod was associated with reduced PRL, whereas milk yield and expression of PRL-R mRNA in lymphocytes and mammary tissue were increased. Cows on short days had higher DMI during the dry period but did not differ in DMI after parturition. These data support the concept that greater responsiveness and sensitivity to PRL during transition to lactation may be associated with an increase in subsequent milk yield.

Animals↗

A prolactin-dependent immune cell line (Nb2) expresses a mutant form of prolactin receptor.

The Nb2 cell line is a pre-T rat lymphoma that is dependent on prolactin (PRL) for mitogenesis. Two forms of PRL receptor (PRL-R), which differ in the length of their cytoplasmic domains have been identified in different tissues and species. In the present study we have cloned the cDNA and characterized the mitogenic form of PRL-R in Nb2 cells. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of first strand cDNA prepared from Nb2-11C (PRL-dependent) and Nb2-Sp (PRL-independent) cell lines was performed using oligonucleotide primers specific for the binding domain, the short form of the PRL-R, and the cytoplasmic domain of the long form of the PRL-R. These studies indicate that both cell lines express a novel form of PRL-R. A cDNA was isolated from an Nb2-Sp cDNA library, which contains 1446 base pairs identical to the nucleotide sequence of the long form of the rat PRL-R. However, the cDNA sequence is missing 594 base pairs in the cytoplasmic domain compared with the long form of the PRL-R. The cDNA encodes a protein of 393 amino acids, lacking 198 amino acids in the cytoplasmic domain. Scatchard analysis of 125I-labeled ovine prolactin (oPRL) binding to microsomes prepared from transiently transfected COS-7 cells with either PRL-R long form cDNA or Nb2 PRL-R cDNA indicates that the long form of PRL-R binds oPRL with high affinity (K alpha = 8.8 x 10(9) M-1), while the Nb2 PRL-R showed a 3.3-fold increased affinity for PRL (K alpha = 29.1 x 10(9) M-1). In addition, immunoblot analysis of these microsomes using 125I-labeled monoclonal antibody (U6) to the PRL-R demonstrates a Mr of approximately 82,000 for the long form and approximately 62,000 for the Nb2 form of PRL-R. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA prepared from PRL-dependent and -independent cell lines suggests that this form of PRL-R results from a deletion in the PRL-R gene. The identification of a modified long form of PRL-R in the Nb2 cell line should help localize domains of the PRL-R involved in signal transduction and further the investigation of prolactin's role in immune cell proliferation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Studies of maternal plasma prolactin and amniotic fluid prolactin. Effects of chlorpromazine and prostaglandin F2alpha.

We have studied the effect of chlorpromazine and PGF2alpha on the blood and amniotic fluid levels of prolactin over a 1-hour period of time in women who were in the 14th-20th week of gestation. Following intramuscular injection of chlorpromazine, maternal plasma prolactin rose 1.0- to 2.5-fold. No significant change was noted in maternal plasma after PGF2alpha administration. Amniotic fluid prolactin declined by 6 to 56%. These changes may be dilutional.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Effects of xenoestrogen bisphenol A on uterine and pituitary weight, serum prolactin levels and immunoreactive prolactin cells in ovariectomized Wistar rats.

Considerable attention has currently been focused on bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental endocrine disrupting chemical that has oestrogenic activity. In vitro and in vivo short-term assays have shown that BPA is weakly estrogenic. In addition, the issue of species- and strain-differences in susceptibility to BPA was raised. The treatment of ovariectomized (OVX) Wistar rats with BPA at doses of 11-250 mg/kg per day, s.c., for 7 days, resulted in significant dose-dependent regrowth of uterus in uterotrophic assay. Additionally, the stimulation of anterior pituitary gland growth and induction of hyperprolactinaemia, as determined by wet organ weight and radioimmunoassay (RIA), respectively, were also dose-dependent (at 128 and 250 mg/kg per day, P < 0.05). Prolactin immunostaining of anterior pituitary glands revealed that BPA at a dose of 250 mg/kg per day increased the number of prolactin-immunopositive cells by 63% compared to OVX rats. These results demonstrate that the reproductive tract and neuroendocrine axis of Wistar rats are able to respond to BPA. Furthermore, the pituitary gland hypertrophy and hyperprolactinaemia can be mediated, at least partly, by increase in number of prolactin-immunoreactive cells. The long-term consequences of this proliferation are yet unknown but neoplasm formation is an obvious possibility.

Animals↗

Failure of 2 Hydroxyestradiol to interact with dopamine inhibition of human prolactin secretion in vitro and with dopamine receptors of prolactin-secreting adenomas.

The ability of 2-Hydroxyestradiol, a catecholestrogen, and 17 beta Estradiol to interact with the dopamine inhibition of prolactin and with dopamine receptors has been tested on dispersed human prolactin-secreting cells obtained from ten pituitary adenomas. There is a 80% inhibition of prolactin secretion obtained by addition of dopamine in a superfusion system. This inhibition is not affected by preexposure to the steroids, or by their introduction into the perifusion medium. Moreover 2 Hydroxyestradiol and 17 beta Estradiol do not interact with the binding of 3H Domperidone to DA receptors.

Adenoma↗

The influence of thyroxine, growth hormone and prolactin alone and in combination on the production of prolactin-like activity by splenocytes from Snell dwarf mice.

The production of a prolactin (PRL)-like substance by mitogen-stimulated immunocompetent cells has been reported previously for a number of species. The Snell dwarf mouse has a deficiency in thyrotropin (TSH), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) as a result of a defect in the pituitary Pit-1 promoter. Since the gene for PRL is present in the dwarf mouse pituitary but not activated it was of interest to determine whether a similar deficiency existed for splenocytes from the dwarf animal. Irradiated splenocytes from dwarfs and normal littermates were cocultured in synthetic AIM-V medium with Nb2 cells and stimulated with concanavalvin A (Con-A). The 3H thymidine incorporation into Nb2 cells in cocultures was quantitated by the addition of mouse PRL to Nb2 cells alone. Splenocytes from dwarf mice produced significantly less PRL-like activity (p < 0.02) than did splenocytes from normal animals. The administration of thyroxine (T4) to dwarf mice increased body weight (BW) gain and the number of splenocytes/g BW. The administration of recombinant bovine GH but not recombinant bPRL further increased body weight gain over T4 alone but neither pituitary hormone had any additional effect on the number of splenocytes/g BW over that noted for T4 alone. Prolactin and GH alone had no effect on splenocyte numbers/g BW. The decreased production of PRL-like activity in the dwarf mouse was not altered by either GH or PRL injection. The injection of T4 alone and in combination with pituitary hormones increased the production of PRL-like activity by dwarf splenocytes to values similar to that observed for normal animals.

Animals↗

Calmodulin content in human prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma: an inverse relationship to serum prolactin levels.

Calmodulin content was evaluated in 3 prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas (prolactinoma) and 3 normal anterior pituitary glands. The calmodulin content in the normal anterior pituitary tissue was quite consistent, 3.32 +/- 0.016 micrograms/mg protein. In contrast, calmodulin content varied almost 4-fold in the prolactinoma tissue (10.97, 8.50 and 3.00 micrograms/mg protein). Preoperative serum prolactin levels varied inversely with the prolactinoma calmodulin content (125, 257 and 3526 ng/ml, respectively). This study reveals that prolactinoma calmodulin content differs from normal, although it is not uniformly elevated as in other transformed tissues and that elevation of prolactinoma calmodulin content does not positively correlate with serum prolactin levels.

Adenoma↗

Prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas: serum and tissue prolactin levels with ultrastructural correlation.

Adenomatous tissue was obtained from 10 women with evidence of prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma at the time of transsphenoidal removal of the tumor. Tissue levels of prolactin (hPRL) were estimated after extraction and were compared to preoperative peripheral serum levels of hPRL. No correlation was found between the tissue and serum concentrations of hPRL, although high levels of hPRL were found in the tissue extracts. Electron microscopy confirmed active secretion of the individual cells, and the ultrastructural findings were compatible with prolactin-secreting adenomas. Associated with the active secretion was extensive exocytosis of the secretory granules away from the capillary wall. These findings suggest that, although active secretion of hPRL is occurring, large amounts of secreted hPRL are not available for immediate uptake into the capillary plexus; thus a slow absorption of hPRL could be taking place from the adenomatous tissue. These data could explain the failure of provocative tests of hPRL stimulation and inhibition to unequivocally characterize an adenoma in an individual with elevated serum levels of hPRL.

Adenoma↗

Purification of decidual prolactin-releasing factor, a placental protein that stimulates prolactin release from human decidual tissue.

Decidual prolactin-releasing factor (PRL-RF), a placental protein that stimulates the release of prolactin from human decidual tissue, has been purified from conditioned medium of human placental explants. The purification scheme consisted of ethanol extraction, anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, size exclusion chromatography on Spherogel TSK-3000, and either a) immunoaffinity chromatography using an antiserum to a partially purified PRL-RF preparation or b) acetic acid-urea/SDS 2-dimensional PAGE. The apparent molecular weight of the purified releasing factor, estimated by SDS-PAGE, was 23,500 Da; and the half-maximal dose for the acute stimulation of prolactin release from human decidual cells was 0.05-0.1 ug/ml (2.2-4.4 nM).

Biological Assay↗

In vitro immunoneutralization of a cleaved prolactin variant: evidence for a local paracrine action of cleaved prolactin in the development of gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs in rat pituitary.

We have previously isolated a cleaved prolactin variant, secreted by rat pituitary cells in culture, that stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs when added to pituitary aggregate cell cultures of 14-day-old female rats. Using synthetic peptides homologous to the new C- and N-termini of the cleavage site, we made antisera recognizing this cleaved variant without significant cross reaction with native prolactin. Addition of these antisera to pituitary aggregate cell cultures decreased [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs but not in the other pituitary cell types. These data are further evidence that this prolactin variant, cleaved between Tyr-145 and Leu-146, may have an important role as growth regulator of the gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs in the rat pituitary.

Animals↗

Studies on prolactin in major psychoses--with reference to prolactin response to stress in schizophrenia.

The serum prolactin concentrations of schizophrenics with delusions or hallucinations, hypomanics, depressives, alcoholics with and without psychotic symptoms were examined. Among them, only the serum prolactin concentrations of alcoholics with psychotic symptoms were significantly higher when compared to the normal controls. In a stress experiment, the alterations of serum prolactin seen in schizophrenics were significantly greater when compared to the normal controls. The results are discussed in connection with the neurochemical mechanisms for the emotional states caused by stress.

Adult↗