PROLACTIN RECEPTOR EXPRESSION DURING ADIPOCYTE DIFFERENTIATION OF BONE-MARROW STROMA

To determine the role of the hormone prolactin and its receptor on the differentiation, growth, and metabolic activity of cells of bone marr ow origin, prolactin receptor expression was assessed in bone marrow s tromal cells. Using reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction BMS2 cells, a bone marrow stromal cell line, were shown to express pro lactin receptors following adipocyte differentiation, using three diff erent adipocyte-differentiation protocols. primary bone marrow stromal cells also show a dose-dependent increase in prolactin receptor expre ssion following treatment with adipogenic agonists. That prolactin rec eptor expression is inducible upon adipocyte differentiation nas confi rmed using a preadipocyte cell line 3T3 - L1. Further, prolactin recep tor parallels lipoprotein lipase gene expression in 3T3 - L1 cells. th at prolactin and its receptor may play a role in differentiation and/o r metabolism of pre-adipocytes and adipocytes.