Abstract

In order to study the possible differential effects of the nonglycosylated and glycosylated forms of prolactin on insulin content and secretion in pancreatic islets, neonatal rat pancreatic islets were exposed for 6 days in vitro to 2 micrograms/ml of nonglycosylated ovine prolactin (oPRL), or to 2 micrograms/ml of glycosylated oPRL (G-oPRL). oPRL stimulated a significant increase (p less than 0.01) in the total amount of insulin released into the medium over the 6 day culture period; however, G-oPRL had no effect. Islets cultured for 6 days in the presence of oPRL showed no increase in the amount of DNA per islet. However, there was a significant (p less than 0.007) increase in the amount of total protein synthesized by the islets exposed to oPRL. These findings suggest that the effect of oPRL on neonatal rat pancreatic islet cells is a nonspecific effect. The nonglycosylated form of PRL may play a role in B-cell function by promoting protein synthesis, which results in augmented insulin synthesis.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.