Androgen-independent effects of prolactin on the different lobes of the immature rat prostate

In this study, we have examined the respective roles of androgens and prolactin (Prl) on rat prostate development and function. Hypophysectomized immature rats, castrated or not after hypophysectomy and treated or not with a 5α-reductase inhibitor, were used to study the different aspects of Prl act...

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Published in:Molecular and cellular endocrinology 1995-07, Vol.112 (1), p.113-122
Main Authors: Reiter, Eric, Lardinois, Sophie, Llug, Marc, Sente, Béatrice, Hennuy, Benoit, Bruyninx, Marc, Closset, Jean, Hennen, Georges
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase - metabolism
5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors
Androgen
Androgen-Binding Protein - genetics
Androgens - pharmacology
Animals
Blotting, Northern
Gene expression
Hypophysectomy
Male
Orchiectomy
Organ Culture Techniques
Prolactin
Prolactin - pharmacology
Prostate
Prostate - drug effects
Prostate - growth & development
Prostate - physiology
Prostatein
Rats
Rats, Wistar
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Secretoglobins
Testosterone - pharmacology
Transcription, Genetic - drug effects
Uteroglobin
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Summary:In this study, we have examined the respective roles of androgens and prolactin (Prl) on rat prostate development and function. Hypophysectomized immature rats, castrated or not after hypophysectomy and treated or not with a 5α-reductase inhibitor, were used to study the different aspects of Prl action on the rat prostate and its synergy with androgens in vivo. Using Northern blot analysis and quantitation of prostatic mRNAs, we have shown that Prl significantly increases the steady-state levels of transcripts coding for several lobe-specific proteins: the C3 subunit of prostatein, probasin, and RWB. We have confirmed these observations in vitro, on explants of immature rat prostate treated with either saline, Prl, or testosterone. In addition, we have demonstrated by a nuclear run-on assay that Prl significantly enhances the transcription rate of the C3 gene in the rat prostate. We conclude that the effects of Prl concern all lobes of the organ and are, at least in part, androgen-independent. Moreover, Prl is able, via an androgen-independent pathway, to increase the rate of transcription of the C3 gene, one of the major products of the rat prostate.
ISSN:0303-7207
1872-8057
DOI:10.1016/0303-7207(95)03596-Y