The synthesis of recombinant human Prolactin (PRL) in mammalian cells starts with co-cloning the desired gene into an expression vector with a C-terminal FC-Myc-tag gene and then transforming it into mammalian cells. The desired gene encodes the 29-227aa of human PRL. The cells are grown to express the proteins and then lysed to release them. Purification of these harvested proteins typically involves affinity chromatography. Its purity is assessed with SDS-PAGE, reaching over 90%.
PRL is a hormone primarily produced and secreted by lactotroph cells in the pituitary gland, with additional production occurring in extrapituitary sites such as the mammary gland, placenta, uterus, and T lymphocytes [1][2]. PRL is classified into different species based on molecular mass, including monomeric PRL, big PRL, and macroprolactin [3].
PRL plays a crucial role in lactation and mammary gland development. Its receptor PRL-R is highly expressed in human breast cancers, suggesting its involvement in cancer cell proliferation, survival, motility, and angiogenesis [4]. PRL regulates reproductive functions, including corpus luteum maintenance and progesterone modulation [1]. PRL has been linked to gynecologic cancers, with its secretion occurring in various non-pituitary sites such as ovarian follicular cells and endometrial stromal cells [2]. PRL is associated with sleep regulation, as its release correlates with changes in sleep-wake cycles [5].
References:
[1] A. Bachelot and N. Binart, Reproductive role of prolactin, Reproduction, vol. 133, no. 2, p. 361-369, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1530/rep-06-0299
[2] V. Levina, B. Nolen, Y. Su, A. Godwin, D. Fishman, J. Liuet al., Biological significance of prolactin in gynecologic cancers, Cancer Research, vol. 69, no. 12, p. 5226-5233, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-4652
[3] R. Baban, Y. Farid, & S. Halabia, Prolactin profiles and their molecular weights in serum and tissues of patients with uterine leiomyoma in iraq, Journal of Al-Nahrain University-Science, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 1-9, 2008. https://doi.org/10.22401/jnus.11.2.01
[4] A. Hammer, S. Laghate, & M. Diakonova, Src tyrosyl phosphorylates cortactin in response to prolactin, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, vol. 463, no. 4, p. 644-649, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.05.116
[5] S. Zhang, M. Kimura, & S. Inoue, Effects of prolactin‐releasing peptide (prrp) on sleep regulation in rats, Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, vol. 54, no. 3, p. 262-264, 2000. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1819.2000.00670.x
