Structure and Function of Prolactin Releasing Factor

催乳素是一种垂体激素，参与多种功能，包括生殖，免疫调节，以及年轻人的生长和发育。催乳素的合成与分泌 是由一种复杂的相互作用 释放和抑制因子与性腺类固醇激素之间的关系。 这些研究人员发现，催乳素释放因子（PRFs）存在于他们检查过的所有物种（包括人类）的后垂体中。PRF增加催乳素基因的表达，并在泌乳、排卵周期和对雌二醇的反应中对刺激催乳素释放至关重要。为了进一步评估PRFs的生理重要性、组织分布和作用机制，确定其化学结构并产生合成肽是至关重要的。本研究拟从转基因小鼠垂体瘤中纯化PRF，并测定其一级结构。之后，将合成PRF，并使用培养的细胞和体内测定来确定其生物活性。这项研究的结果将扩展我们对一种主要垂体激素的合成和释放机制的理解 它参与了广泛的 重要功能。

Prolactin is a pituitary hormone that is involved in multiple functions, including reproduction, immune regulation, and growth and the development of the young. The synthesis and secretion of prolactin are regulated by a complex interaction between releasing and inhibiting factors and gonadal steroid hormones. These investigators have discovered the presence of prolactin releasing factors (PRFs) in the posterior pituitaries of all species that they have examined, including humans. PRF increases the expression of the prolactin gene and is critical for stimulating prolactin release during lactation, the ovulatory cycle and in response to estradiol. To further evaluate the physiological importance, tissue distribution and mechanisms of action of PRFs, it is critical to determine its chemical structure and generate a synthetic peptide. The research to be done is to purify PRF from pituitary tumors of transgenic mice and to determine its primary structure. Following that PRF will be synthesized and its biological activity will be determined using both cultured cells and in vivo assays. The results of this investigation will extend our understanding of the mechanisms which govern the synthesis and release of a major pituitary hormone that participates in a broad range of important functions.