P. Guillaumot et M. Benahmed, Prolactin receptors are expressed and hormonally regulated in rat Sertoli cells, MOL C ENDOC, 149(1-2), 1999, pp. 163-168
In this study, the protein and mRNA expression of the short and long forms
of Prolactin (PRL) receptors (PRL-R) were examined by means of Northern and
Western blotting analyses in rat testicular Sertoli cells. Transcripts for
the short and long forms of PRL-R were detected with specific probes, five
major mRNA species of about 1.9, 2.6, 3.0, 3.7 and 5 kb for the short form
and two of about 10 and 1.3 kb for the long form. Under reducing condition
s, the use of a specific antibody for the short form revealed a major molec
ular species of approximate to 45 kDa. Two groups of molecular species were
detected for the long form, several bands with high molecular masses (110-
300 kDa) and others about 45-60 kDa. Finally, the expression of the long fo
rm of PRL-R was shown to be hormonally regulated as it was inhibited by fol
licle stimulating hormone (FSH) (ED50 = 5 ng/ml). Together, the localisatio
n of PRL receptors to Sertoli cells as well as the regulatory action of FSH
on these receptors suggest that PRL and or (a) PRL-like activity(ies) migh
t be considered as (a) potential regulator(s) of spermatogenesis. (C) 1999
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