Placental Prolactin Research Articles

A preliminary study on placental damage associated to experimental neosporosis in BALB/c mice.

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite which can infect a range of animals, including dogs, cattle, and sheep. Bovine neosporosis, which mainly causes abortion in cattle, results in substantial economic losses worldwide. To study the effects of N. caninum infection on the placenta, a pregnant mouse model for N. caninum infection was established. The litter size (8.6 ± 1.5) and the number of live pups (6.4 ± 1.8) of infected dams were significantly lower compared with those of non-infected dams. Trophoblast cell shrinkage and a large number of apoptosomes were detected in the placentas of the infected group. The parasite load in the placental tissue was significantly higher with time after infection. Likewise, apoptosis of placental trophoblast cells significantly increased with time after infection. Among the 66 apoptotic genes detected in this study, eight genes, including Bcl-2, were significantly differentially expressed by about > tenfold in infected and uninfected mice. The expression of BAX and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was upregulated in the placental cells of the infected mice, whereas the expression of BCL-2 was downregulated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) showed that apoptotic protease caspase-3 level was significantly increased in placental cell suspension, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-2 level was significantly reduced. Acetylcholine (ACH) and placental prolactin (PL) levels were initially decreased but eventually increased. In summary, infection of mice with N. caninum caused apoptotic damage to the placental tissues, cells, and genes and affected the normal physiological functions of placenta, which may largely explain the adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by N. caninum infection in mice.

Prolactin and its significance in the placenta.

Prolactin, a pituitary hormone that was discovered about 80years ago and is primarily known for its functions in mammary gland development and lactation, is now known to participate in numerous functions across different phylogenetic groups. Fundamentally known for its secretion from lactotroph cells in adenohypophysis region of pituitary gland, newer studies have demonstrated a number of extrapituitary sites which secrete prolactin, where it acts in an autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine manner to regulate essential physiological and biochemical processes. These sites include lymphocytes, epithelial cells of lactating mammary glands, breast cancer cells of epithelial origin, and the placenta. The placenta is one of the most important organs secreting prolactin; however, its role in placental biology has not to date been reviewed comprehensively. This review elaborates upon the various facets of prolactin hormone, including prolactin production and its post-translational modifications and signaling. Major emphasis is placed on placental prolactin and its potential roles, ranging from the role of prolactin in angiogenesis, preeclampsia, maternal diabetes, and anti-apoptosis, among others.

Regulation of magnesium sulfate combined with nifedipine and labetalol on disease-related molecules in serum and placenta in the treatment of preeclampsia.

To explore the regulatory effect of magnesium sulfate combined with nifedipine and labetalol on disease-related molecules in serum and placenta in the treatment of preeclampsia. Altogether 100 patients with preeclampsia admitted to the Children & Women's Healthcare of Laiwu City were selected. They were divided into control group and experimental group according to different treatment methods. Among them, 51 patients in the control group were treated with magnesium sulfate combined with nifedipine, and 49 patients in the experimental group were treated with labetalol on the basis of the treatment in the control group. The therapeutic effects of the two methods were compared. The levels of the following factors in the two groups were compared: kallikrein expression, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), pregnancy-specific β1 glycoprotein (SPI), placental growth factor (PLGF), human placental prolactin (HPL), transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin in serum and placenta tissues. After treatment, the blood pressure in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (p<0.05). The expression of kallikrein in serum and placental tissue of the patients in the experimental group was higher than that of the patients in the control group (p<0.05); PAPP-A level was lower than that in the control group (p<0.05); TGF-β1 level was higher than that in the control group (p<0.05); VCAM-1 and E-selectin were lower than those in the control group (p<0.05), and kallikrein and TGF-β1 in serum and placenta in the non-occurrence group were higher than those in the occurrence group (p<0.05). The serum and placenta PAPP-A, VCAM-1, and E-selectin in the non-occurrence group were lower than those in the occurrence group (p<0.05). Magnesium sulfate combined with nifedipine and labetalol has good efficacy in the treatment of preeclampsia. They can promote the expression of endogenous kallikrein, reduce the level of pregnancy-related hypertension predictors, and weaken the infiltration ability of cytotrophoblasts.

Evidence of placental endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus

Evidence of placental endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus

Placental prolactin family levels are modified during gestation in the diabetic rat

Placental prolactin family levels are modified during gestation in the diabetic rat

Placental antiangiogenic prolactin fragments are increased in human and rat maternal diabetes

Introduction/objectivesThe role of the placenta in diabetic mothers on fetal development and programming is unknown. Prolactin (PRL) produced by decidual endometrial cells may have an impact. Although full-length PRL is angiogenic, the processed form by bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1) and/or cathepsin D (CTSD) is antiangiogenic.The objectives were to investigate the involvement of decidual PRL and its antiangiogenic fragments in placentas from type-1 diabetic women (T1D) and from pregnant diabetic rats with lower offspring weights than controls. MethodsPRL, BMP-1, and CTSD gene expressions and PRL protein level were assessed in T1D placentas (n=8) at delivery and compared to controls (n=5). Wistar rats received, at day 7 of pregnancy, streptozotocin (STZ) (n=5) or nicotinamide (NCT) plus STZ (n=9) or vehicle (n=9). Placental whole-genome gene expression and PRL western blots were performed at birth. ResultsIn human placentas, PRL (p<0.05) and BMP-1 (p<0.01) gene expressions were increased with a higher amount of cleaved PRL (p<0.05) in T1D than controls. In rats, diabetes was more pronounced in STZ than in NCT–STZ group with intra-uterine growth restriction. Decidual prolactin-related protein (Dprp) (p<0.01) and Bmp-1 (p<0.001) genes were up-regulated in both diabetic groups, with an increased cleaved PRL amount in the STZ (p<0.05) and NCT–STZ (p<0.05) groups compared to controls. No difference in CTSD gene expression was observed in rats or women. ConclusionsAlterations in the levels of the PRL family are associated with maternal diabetes in both rats and T1D women suggesting that placental changes in these hormones impact on fetal development.

Biology of the Placental Proteins in Domestic Ruminants: Expression, Proposed Roles and Practical Applications

The placenta, a lodgment at the feto-maternal interface, is a temporal organ that plays crucial roles in maintaining gestation and fetal development. To achieve these purposes, the placenta produces an array of proteins with distinct spatio-temporal characteristics. In this review, the authors focus on the paralog families of prolactin (PRL) and aspartic proteinase, exclusively produced by the placenta, and discuss their biological roles and practical significance in animal husbandry. The bovine placental PRL family consists of one classical member and at least ten non-classical members. Bovine placental lactogen (PL) is a unique classical member due to its lactogenic activity and potentially involved in partitioning nutrients to maintain fetal development. In contrast, the biological roles of non-classical members in bovine placental PRL family proteins remain unclear. Recent papers have reported that a non-classical member protein named prolactin-related protein -I (PRP-I) exhibited angiogenic activity following C-terminal cleavage by proteolytic enzymes. These results suggest that non-classical members of the placental PRL family exert their biological activities via specific mechanisms other than the PRL receptor-signaling pathway. The bovine genome contains a hundred or more aspartic proteinase-like genes and at least 22 mRNAs with close structural relationships are transcribed in the placenta. These molecules correspond to pregnancy-specific protein (PSP)-B, PSP-60 and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) as reported previously. The true character of PSPs and PAG is thought to be a mixture of placental aspartic proteinase-like proteins. Immunological detection of PAG protein in maternal serum is the basis for early pregnancy diagnosis in ruminants. Currently, early pregnancy diagnosis by PAG assay is available for cows, buffaloes and deer.

Perfluorooctanoic acid-induced inhibition of placental prolactin-family hormone and fetal growth retardation in mice

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent pollutant worldwide and even found in human cord blood and breast milk. Some animal studies have reported that PFOA causes developmental toxicity such as fetal weight loss, but the mechanism is still unclear. This study focused on developmental toxicity of PFOA, particularly impacts of PFOA on placental endocrine function such as placental prolactin (PRL)-family hormone gene expression and fetal growth in mouse. Time-mated CD-1 mice were dosed by gavage with 0, 2, 10 and 25 mg/kg B.W/day of PFOA ( n = 10) dissolved with de-ionized water from gestational day (GD) 11–16. During treatment, body weight of each pregnant mouse was measured daily. On day 16, caesarean sections were performed and developmental data were observed. Three placentas from three different pregnant mice were assigned to each of the following experiments. The mRNA levels of mouse placental lactogen (mPL)-II, prolactin like protein (mPLP)-E, -F and Pit-1α and β isotype mRNAs, a transacting factor of mPLs and mPLPs genes, were analyzed using northern blot, in situ hybridization and RT-PCR, respectively. Maternal body weight gain was significantly declined from GD 13 in the PFOA treated groups compared to control. Developmental data such as fetal and placental weights were significantly decreased in accordance with PFOA dosage. Number of dead fetuses and post-implantation losses were significantly increased in the PFOA-exposed groups. In addition, placental efficiency (fetal weight/placental weight) was significantly reduced in PFOA treated groups in accordance with PFOA dosage. Histopathologic changes were observed in placenta. Dose dependent necrotic changes were observed in both 10 mg and 25 mg PFOA treated groups. Cell frequency of glycogen trophoblast cell and parietal trophoblast giant cell were decreased dose dependently in the junctional zone. In the labyrinth zone, sinusoidal trophoblast giant cell frequency was decreased in the 25 mg PFOA treated group. Also, morphological change such as crushed nuclear (atrophy) of trophoblast cells was observed in 25 mg PFOA treated group. Finally, mRNA levels of the mPL-II, mPLP-E, -F and Pit-1α and β were significantly reduced in the PFOA treated groups dose dependently. In addition, the changing pattern between mPL-II, mPLP-E, -F mRNA levels and fetal body weight showed positive relationship. In conclusion, the inhibitory effects of PFOA on the placental prolactin-family hormone genes expression may be secondary effects to insufficient trophoblast cell type differentiation and/or increased trophoblast cell necrosis. The impacts of PFOA on placental development and endocrine function reduced the placental efficiency and partly contributed to the fetal growth retardation in the mouse.

Relationships between homeoprotein EGAM1C and the expression of the placental prolactin gene family in mouse placentae and trophoblast stem cells

The mouse Crxos gene encodes three structurally related homeoproteins, EGAM1, EGAM1N, and EGAM1C, as transcription and splicing variants. Recently, we identified the functions of EGAM1 and EGAM1N in the regulation of differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells. However, the function of EGAM1C remains unknown. To explore the additional roles of these proteins, the ontogenic expression of the respective mRNAs in post implantation mouse embryos and extraembryonic tissues, particularly from embryonic day (E) 10.5 to E18.5, was analyzed. The expression of Egam1n mRNA was specifically detected in embryos throughout this period, whereas that of Egam1 was undetectable in any of the tissues examined. However, in the placenta, Egam1c mRNA and its encoded protein were detected after E16.5, and these expression levels increased by E18.5 immediately before partum. Quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization analyses in placentae revealed that the spatial and temporal expression patterns of the Egam1c mRNA were related to some extent with those of Prl3a1 and Prl5a1 and partially overlapped that of Prl3b1, which are members of the placental prolactin (PRL) gene family. When EGAM1C was overexpressed moderately in mouse trophoblast stem cells as a model for undifferentiated and differentiating placental cell types, the expression levels of endogenous Prl3b1 and Prl5a1 were enhanced under both undifferentiated and differentiating culture conditions. These results indicated that EGAM1C may play a role in the expression of members of the placental PRL gene family, such as Prl3b1 and Prl5a1.

Prolactin-Like Protein-F Subfamily of Placental Hormones/Cytokines: Responsiveness to Maternal Hypoxia

The prolactin (PRL) family of hormones/cytokines is involved in the maintenance of pregnancy and adaptations to physiological stressors. In this report, we identify and characterize a new member of the rat PRL family, examine the impact of maternal hypoxia on placental PRL family gene expression, and investigate maternal adaptive responses to hypoxia. Perusal of the PRL gene family locus in the rat genome resulted in the identification of a putative new member of the rat PRL family. The new member is closely related to the previously reported PRL-like protein-F (PLP-F) and has been named PLP-Fbeta and the originally characterized PLP-F, now termed PLP-Falpha. The two proteins exhibit structural similarities but possess distinct cell- and temporal-specific expression profiles. In vivo hypoxia stimulates placental PLP-Falpha and PLP-E mRNA expression in the rat and mouse, respectively. Rcho-1 trophoblast cells can differentiate into trophoblast giant cells, express PLP-Falpha, and exhibit enhanced PLP-Falpha mRNA levels when cultured under low oxygen tension (2%). Exposure to hypobaric hypoxia during latter part of pregnancy did not significantly impact the expression of PLP-Fbeta mRNA. Finally, exposure to hypobaric hypoxia during midpregnancy led to increased maternal red blood cells, hemoglobin concentrations, hematocrit, and increased concentrations of maternal splenic mRNAs for key proteins involved in hemoglobin synthesis, erythroid Krüppel-like factor, erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase-2, and beta-major globin. In summary, adaptive responses to maternal hypoxia include activation of placental PLP-Falpha/E gene expression, which may then participate in maternal hematological adjustments required for maintaining maternal and fetal oxygen delivery.

Endocrine regulation in asymmetric intrauterine fetal growth retardation

Objective. The ponderal index (PI) is a widely accepted measure of disproportionate growth or asymmetrical growth retardation by pediatricians worldwide. Identification of disproportionately grown small for gestational age (SGA) neonates by using the ponderal index as a measure of the nutritional status at birth, is important because they constitute a high-risk group among SGA neonates. Poor nutritional status of the mother could have a direct effect on the organs of the developing fetus and/or affect the endocrine milieu in the maternal feto-placental unit resulting in an increased incidence of intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR)/SGA births. IUGR is a significant risk factor for adult disease. In this study, we have investigated the endocrine adaptation by the fetus to overcome the growth disadvantage caused due to poor nutritional status of the mother.Materials and methods. We examined the quantitative variations in hormonal and growth factor profiles in paired maternal and cord blood samples obtained from mothers and their neonates who were classified based on their growth status into SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA).Results. (1) A total of 24.7% neonates had a PI < 2, indicating a high incidence of asymmetric IUGR in the population studied. (2) Anthropometric parameters measured in the mothers indicate that the mothers giving birth to neonates with a PI < 2 had poor nutritional status, both prior to and during pregnancy. (3) We observed increased levels of placental lactogen and prolactin and decreased levels of insulin in the cord blood of neonates with PI < 2, while lower levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and higher levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) were observed in their mothers.Conclusion. Poor maternal nutritional status results in fetal adaptation to a growth restricted environment via the modulation of the pituitary–thyroid axis thereby altering the endocrine milieu, thus affecting fetal growth.

Dexamethasone-induced intrauterine growth restriction impacts the placental prolactin family, insulin-like growth factor-II and the Akt signaling pathway

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a major cause of perinatal death and neonatal morbidity and mortality. There are numerous causes of IUGR. Glucocorticoid-induced IUGR is highly relevant because administration of synthetic glucocorticoids, principally dexamethasone, to women threatened by premature labor is widely used in clinical practice. Fetal growth is directly related to placental growth and development. In this report, we analyzed the effect of dexamethasone on placental development in the rat. Dexamethasone administered between days 13 and 20 of pregnancy not only induced IUGR but also decreased placental mass by approximately 50%. Impaired placental development was associated with dysregulated placental prolactin (PRL) family and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) gene expression. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in the activation of Akt/protein kinase B in the junctional zone of the placenta, as assessed by the phosphorylation status of Akt and the pro-apoptotic protein BAD, a downstream target of the Akt signaling pathway. Such changes are consistent with increases in indices of apoptosis, including increased cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in the junctional zone of the placenta of dexamethasone-treated rats. In summary, dexamethasone-induced IUGR is associated with placental insufficiency, including dysregulated placental hormone/cytokine gene expression and down-regulation of the IGF-II/Akt signaling pathway resulting in increases in indices of placental apoptosis.

Prolactin regulates mammary epithelial cell proliferation via autocrine/paracrine mechanism.

Prolactin (PRL) is essential for a number of developmental events in the mammary gland. Work with PRL and PRL receptor knockout mice has shown that PRL indirectly regulates ductal side branching during puberty and directly controls lobuloalveolar development and lactogenesis during pregnancy. Anterior pituitary or placental PRL is thought to be responsible for these functions via an endocrine mechanism; however, PRL is also produced in a number of extrapituitary sites including the mammary gland. The physiologic relevance of mammary PRL remains unknown. In this study we utilized mammary recombination in Rag1(-/-) hosts, to determine whether mammary PRL plays a role in the regulation of mammary gland development. Mammary glands formed with the PRL gene deleted from either the epithelium, stroma, or both displayed normal development, on the basis of whole mount and hematoxylin and eosin histology, during puberty and lactation. At the end of pregnancy, a 2.8-fold decrease in bromodeoxyuridine incorporation was observed in the epithelial cells of mammary glands formed using PRL knockout epithelium compared with those formed using wildtype epithelium. No balancing alteration in the rates of apoptosis was detected. Thus, mammary-derived PRL influences mammary epithelial cell proliferation via an autocrine/paracrine mechanism, establishing a physiologic function for mammary PRL during mammopoiesis.

Characterization of Two Nonclassical Members of the Placental Prolactin Family from the Rat

Characterization of Two Nonclassical Members of the Placental Prolactin Family from the Rat

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a New Member of the Rat Placental Prolactin (PRL) Family, PRL-Like Protein H

The rat placental PRL family consists of molecules structurally similar to PRL and GH, and to date nine members have been identified. In the course of investigating late stage specific placental PRL family expression by differential display, we have isolated a complementary DNA encoding a new molecule that is highly homologous to PRL-like protein C (PLP-C) and PLP-D, and named this molecule PLP-H. The complementary DNA encoded a mature protein of 239 amino acids, including a 31-amino acid signal sequence. Sequence comparison between PLP-H and other members of the placental PRL family showed that PLP-H is highly homologous to PLP-C and PLP-D (78% and 67% homology at the amino acid level, respectively). Expression of PLP-H was similar to that of PLP-C and PLP-D; PLP-H messenger RNA (mRNA) first appeared on day 14 of pregnancy, and its expression increased until term. RT-PCR analysis showed that PLP-H as well as PLP-C and PLP-D are expressed in all rat strains examined, confirming that PLP diversity is not due to strain differences. In situ hybridization analysis indicated that PLP-H mRNA is specifically expressed in spongiotrophoblast cells and in trophoblast giant cells of the placental junctional zone. Differentiated Rcho-1 cells also expressed PLP-H mRNA, whereas undifferentiated Rcho-1 cells did not. PLP-H seems to exist as a secretory protein because its N-terminal sequence is identical to that of GH/PRL-like molecule secreted from placental explants. PLP-H contains two putative N-glycosylation sites and eight cysteine residues, of which six are highly conserved in the placental PRL family. We prepared a recombinant protein for PLP-H together with PLP-D using a COS7 transfection system. Purified PLP-H showed two bands with molecular masses of 27 and 29 kDa. Only the 27-kDa protein was detected after N-glycosidase treatment, indicating that PLP-H is a glycoprotein. PLP-H and PLP-D did not stimulate the proliferation of Nb2 lymphoma cells or the phosphorylation of Janus kinase-2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-5. These data indicate that PLP-H and PLP-D are nonlactogenic hormones. Thus, we have cloned a new member of the PLP subfamily, PLP-H, which has features in common with PLP-C and PLP-D.

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a New Member of the Rat Placental Prolactin (PRL) Family, PRL-Like Protein H1

The rat placental PRL family consists of molecules structurally similar to PRL and GH, and to date nine members have been identified. In the course of investigating late stage specific placental PRL family expression by differential display, we have isolated a complementary DNA encoding a new molecule that is highly homologous to PRL-like protein C (PLP-C) and PLP-D, and named this molecule PLP-H. The complementary DNA encoded a mature protein of 239 amino acids, including a 31-amino acid signal sequence. Sequence comparison between PLP-H and other members of the placental PRL family showed that PLP-H is highly homologous to PLP-C and PLP-D (78% and 67% homology at the amino acid level, respectively). Expression of PLP-H was similar to that of PLP-C and PLP-D; PLP-H messenger RNA (mRNA) first appeared on day 14 of pregnancy, and its expression increased until term. RT-PCR analysis showed that PLP-H as well as PLP-C and PLP-D are expressed in all rat strains examined, confirming that PLP diversity is not due to strain differences. In situ hybridization analysis indicated that PLP-H mRNA is specifically expressed in spongiotrophoblast cells and in trophoblast giant cells of the placental junctional zone. Differentiated Rcho-1 cells also expressed PLP-H mRNA, whereas undifferentiated Rcho-1 cells did not. PLP-H seems to exist as a secretory protein because its N-terminal sequence is identical to that of GH/PRL-like molecule secreted from placental explants. PLP-H contains two putative N-glycosylation sites and eight cysteine residues, of which six are highly conserved in the placental PRL family. We prepared a recombinant protein for PLP-H together with PLP-D using a COS7 transfection system. Purified PLP-H showed two bands with molecular masses of 27 and 29 kDa. Only the 27-kDa protein was detected after N-glycosidase treatment, indicating that PLP-H is a glycoprotein. PLP-H and PLP-D did not stimulate the proliferation of Nb2 lymphoma cells or the phosphorylation of Janus kinase-2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-5. These data indicate that PLP-H and PLP-D are nonlactogenic hormones. Thus, we have cloned a new member of the PLP subfamily, PLP-H, which has features in common with PLP-C and PLP-D.

Prolactin receptor expression in the developing mouse embryo.

We have examined the developmental pattern of prolactin receptor expression in the mouse by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and radioligand binding and have found two unexpected aspects of temporal regulation. First, high levels of prolactin receptor mRNA were detected in mouse embryos at day 8 and day 18, but levels decreased between these days to a minimum at approximately day 14. In contrast, placental prolactin receptor mRNA levels remained constant throughout this gestational period. Second, on embryonic day 16 the mRNA encoding the long form of the prolactin receptor is more abundant in the fetal liver than any of the short receptor form mRNAs, but by day 18 a switch occurs and the mRNA encoding one of the short receptor forms becomes the predominant receptor mRNA in that tissue. Expression of the receptor mRNA and protein is widespread throughout the fetus, with especially high levels in developing bone and cartilagenous structures, the thymus and pituitary, the tongue and skeletal muscle, and certain regions of the brain. The pattern of expression of prolactin receptor in the fetal mouse suggests an important role for the placental lactogens, the major ligands for fetal prolactin receptors, in fetal growth and development.

Developmental Regulation of a Pregnancy-specific Oligosaccharide Structure, NeuAcα2,6GalNAcβ1,4GlcNAc, on Select Members of the Rat Placental Prolactin Family

Successful pregnancy is dependent upon an array of signaling proteins secreted by the trophoblast cells of the placenta. Among these is a group of proteins related to pituitary prolactin, known as the prolactin/growth hormone family. These proteins are expressed at specific times during gestation and synthesized in distinct trophoblast cell types in the rat placenta. We report here that select members of this family, prolactin-like protein (PLP-A), PLP-B, PLP-C, decidual/trophoblast PRP, and placental lactogen I variant, only which are expressed in the spongiotrophoblast, late in rat placental development bear Asn-linked oligosaccharides terminating with NeuAcalpha2,6GalNAcbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta-R. This reflects the concurrent expression of these prolactin/growth hormone family members with the peptide-specific beta1,4GalNAc-transferase and an alpha2,6-sialyltransferase, which can add sialic acid to terminal beta1,4-linked GalNAc. We have determined that at least one of the prolactin-like proteins, PLP-A, is recognized by the protein-specific GalNAc-transferase. The presence of NeuAcalpha2, 6GalNAcbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta-R on only a limited number of glycoproteins synthesized by the spongiotrophoblasts between mid gestation and birth reflects the need for both the GalNAc-transferase and the peptide recognition determinant for efficient addition of GalNAc. Thus, expression of the GalNAc-transferase and specific members of the prolactin/growth hormone family is developmentally regulated in the rat placenta, suggesting a physiological role for the terminal NeuAcalpha2,6GalNAcbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta-R sequence on Asn-linked oligosaccharides of these proteins.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a new member of the rat placental prolactin (PRL) family, PRL-like protein D (PLP-D).

The rat placental PRL family consists of molecules structurally similar to PRL and GH, and to date, seven members have been identified. During investigation of pregnancy stage-specific placental factors by the differential display method, we obtained a complementary DNA (cDNA) fragment (199 bp) encoding a peptide homologous to PRL-like protein (PLP)-C. By using the 3' and 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends method, a full-length cDNA was cloned and tentatively named PLP-D. The cDNA encoded a mature protein of 240 amino acids, including a 29-amino acid signal sequence. PLP-D contains one putative N-glycosylation site and six cysteine residues that are highly conserved in the placental PRL family. Sequence comparison between PLP-D and other members of the placental PRL family showed that PLP-D is highly homologous to PLP-C (80%) and decidual PRL-related protein (73%). Northern blot analysis revealed that PLP-D messenger RNA (mRNA) first appeared at day 14 of pregnancy, and that its expression increased until term. In situ hybridization analysis indicated that PLP-D mRNA was specifically expressed in spongiotrophoblast cells and trophoblast giant cells of the placental junctional zone. Differentiated Rcho-1 cells also expressed PLP-D mRNA, whereas undifferentiated Rcho-1 cells did not.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a new member of the rat placental prolactin (PRL) family, PRL-like protein D (PLP-D)

Molecular cloning and characterization of a new member of the rat placental prolactin (PRL) family, PRL-like protein D (PLP-D)