Prolactin Gene Research Articles

Polymorphism of Prolactin gene in relation to egg productionperformance in Kadaknath hens

Present study was carried out to study egg production performance and polymorphism of Prolactin gene at 24 bp indel locus at promoter region (PRL24). Egg production performances were recorded as age at first egg (AFE), Body Weight at First Egg (WFE), Mean Egg Weight (MEW) and Total No. of Eggs at 90 days of laying (TEN). DNA was isolated from blood of 20 Kadaknath birds collected from wing vein. PRL24 locus for indel polymorphism was amplified by PCR and the product was resolved on 6% native PAGE for genotyping. The AFE (d), WFE (Kg), MEW (g) and TEN of Kadaknath hens in the present study were found to be 188.00±0.71, 1.26±0.03, 42.83±0.21 and 37.75±0.59 respectively. The Prolactin gene locus PRL24 showed two alleles I and D and three genotypes: II, ID and DD. The frequencies of I and D alleles at this locus were 0.55 & 0.45 respectively. The birds of D allele had a significantly (P<0.05) better TEN than birds of I allele.

Genetic Diversity of Prolactin Gene in Two Strains of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in Nigeria

Genetic Diversity of Prolactin Gene in Two Strains of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in Nigeria

Allelic Variation in the Promoter Region of Prolactin Gene in different Population of Native Fowls

Allelic Variation in the Promoter Region of Prolactin Gene in different Population of Native Fowls

Polymorphism of prolactin gene mentioned as exon 3 or exon 4

Polymorphism of prolactin gene mentioned as exon 3 or exon 4

Genetic and genomic dissection of Prolactin revealed potential association with milk production traits in riverine buffalo.

Milk yield and quality has been a major selection criterion for genetic improvement in livestock species. Role of Prolactin gene in determining milk quality in terms of protein profile, lactose, lipids and other imperative macromolecules is very important. In this context, genetic profiling of Prolactin gene in riverine buffalo of Pakistan was performed and potential genetic markers were identified illustrating worth of this gene in marker-assisted selection of superior dairy buffaloes. Series of wet and dry lab experimentation was performed starting with genomic DNA isolation from true to breed representatives of indigenous river buffalo (Nili-Ravi). After amplification of coding regions of Prolactin gene, products were eluted and sequenced by Sanger's chain termination method and aligned to get variations in genomic region. A total of 15 novel variations were identified and analyzed statistically for their significance at population level, haplotypes were constructed, and association was estimated. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to evaluate the rate of evolution for Prolactin gene in various mammalian species. Lastly, biological networking for this molecule was predicted to get the bigger pictorial of its functional machinery. Pathway analysis was performed to find its physiological mode of action in milk synthesis. This is a first report toward complete genetic screening of Prolactin gene in Pakistani buffaloes. Results of this study not only provide an insight for potential role of Prolactin gene in milk-producing abilities of buffalo but also suggest new directions for exploration of more genes that may have promising role to enhance future milk production capabilities of river buffalo breeds of Asian region through marker-assisted selection.

Whole-exome identifies RXRG and TH germline variants in familial isolated prolactinoma

Familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) is a rare genetic disorder. In a subset of FIPA families AIP germline mutations have been reported, but in most FIPA cases the exact genetic defect remains unknown. The present study aimed to determine the genetic basis of FIPA in a Brazilian family. Three siblings presented with isolated prolactin genes. Further mutation screening was performed using whole-exome sequencing and all likely causative mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing. In silico analysis and secreting pituitary adenoma diagnosed through clinical, biochemical and imaging testing. Sanger sequencing was used to genotype candidate prolactinoma-mutated additional predictive algorithms were applied to prioritize likely pathogenic variants. No mutations in the coding and flanking intronic regions in the MEN1, AIP and PRLR genes were detected. Whole-exome sequencing of three affected siblings revealed novel, predicted damaging, heterozygous variants in three different genes: RXRG, REXO4 and TH. In conclusion, the RXRG and TH possibly pathogenic variants may be associated with isolated prolactinoma in the studied family. The possible contribution of these genes to additional FIPA families should be explored.

Polymorphism of prolactin gene and its association with growth and some biometrical traits in ducks

The main aim of the study was to estimate the polymorphism of prolactin (PRL) gene and its relation with some morphological traits (body weight – BW, length of trunk with neck – LTN, length of trunk – LT, chest girth – CG, length of breast bone – LBB, length of shank – LS) of Muscovy, Pekin and Mulard ducks. A secondary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of age, origin on ducks’ growth performances. Three genotypes at locus PRL/XbaI and one genotype at locus PRL/PstI were found. The results showed that Pekin ducks with the PRL/TT genotype in selected terms of evaluation characterised by higher (p < 0.05) LS and LBB values than those with the PRL/TG genotype. In Mulard ducks, PRL/XbaI polymorphism had an effect (p < 0.05) on BW and LS in birds aged 10 and 12 weeks (wk). The effect of age, origin on the growth traits of ducks was evaluated as well. All growth traits examined significantly increased with age. There was a significant (p < 0.01) effect of the ducks’ origin. Until the 7 wk of age, the Muscovies were lighter and had lower (p < 0.01) values of LTN, LT, CG, LBB, LS than Pekin and Mulard ducks. The results confirm that there were significant associations between interaction of considered factors and estimated traits.

Polymorphism of the prolactin gene and its effect on fiber traits in goat

Polymorphism of the prolactin gene and its effect on fiber traits in goat

A favorable role of prolactin in human breast cancer reveals novel pathway-based gene signatures indicative of tumor differentiation and favorable patient outcome

Prolactin (PRL) hormone is known to play a key role in mammary gland development allowing for successful lactation. The role of this hormone in breast tumorigenesis is still controversial. Here, we evaluated PRL protein and gene expression levels in human breast cancer using tissue microarray of 100 breast cancer cases, as well as different publically available human breast cancer gene profiling databases. Interestingly, our results showed a significant downregulation of PRL expression in breast cancer compared to normal adjacent tissue. Moreover, expression of PRL was associated with more differentiated tumors, early stage, smaller tumor size and absence of distant metastasis. Importantly, our results indicate that higher PRL mRNA levels are significantly associated with prolonged relapse-free survival (RFS) in breast cancer patients (P=3.7 x 10(-9)). Additionally, examining expression of PRL pathway-based gene signature composed of PRL, PRLR, Jak2 and Stat5a showed a significant association with more differentiated tumors (P<.00001), prolonged RFS (P=1.8 x 10(-6)) as well as overall survival (OS) (P=.0026). As well, our results indicate that PRL-directed differentiation program in mammary epithelial cells offer good prognosis in human breast cancer. Indeed, expression of a gene signature composed of PRL-upregulated genes showed a significant association with well-differentiated tumors (P<.00001). Whereas expression of a gene signature composed of PRL-downregulated genes showed a significant association with shortened distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (P=.0086). Altogether our results highlight that PRL hormone and its signaling pathway may play an important role in maintaining tumor differentiation state and in turn better patient outcome.

A Pit-1 Binding Site Adjacent to E-box133 in the Rat PRL Promoter is Necessary for Pulsatile Gene Expression Activity.

Recent evidence reveals that prolactin gene expression (PRL-GE) in mammotropes occurs in pulses, but the molecular process(es) underlying this phenomenon remains unclear. Earlier, we have identified an E-box (E-box133) in the rat PRL promoter that binds several circadian elements and is critical for this dynamic process. Preliminary analysis revealed a Pit-1 binding site (P2) located immediately adjacent to this E-box133 raising the possibility that some type of functional relationship may exist between these two promoter regions. In this study, using serum shocked GH3 cell culture system to synchronize PRL-GE activity, we determined that Pit-1 gene expression occurred in pulses with time phases similar to that for PRL. Interestingly, EMSA analysis not only confirmed Pit-1 binding to the P2 site, but also revealed an interaction with factor(s) binding to the adjacent E-box133 promoter element. Additionally, down-regulation of Pit-1 by siRNA reduced PRL levels during pulse periods. Thus, using multiple evidences, our results demonstrate clearly that the Pit-1 P2 site is necessary for PRL-GE elaboration. Furthermore, the proximity of this critical Pit-1 binding site (P2) and the E-box133 element coupled with the evidences of a site-to-site protein interactions suggest that the process of PRL-GE pulse activity might involve more dynamic and intricate cross-talks between promoter elements that may span some, or all, of the proximal region of the PRL promoter in driving its pulsatile expression.

Spatially coordinated dynamic gene transcription in living pituitary tissue.

Transcription at individual genes in single cells is often pulsatile and stochastic. A key question emerges regarding how this behaviour contributes to tissue phenotype, but it has been a challenge to quantitatively analyse this in living cells over time, as opposed to studying snap-shots of gene expression state. We have used imaging of reporter gene expression to track transcription in living pituitary tissue. We integrated live-cell imaging data with statistical modelling for quantitative real-time estimation of the timing of switching between transcriptional states across a whole tissue. Multiple levels of transcription rate were identified, indicating that gene expression is not a simple binary 'on-off' process. Immature tissue displayed shorter durations of high-expressing states than the adult. In adult pituitary tissue, direct cell contacts involving gap junctions allowed local spatial coordination of prolactin gene expression. Our findings identify how heterogeneous transcriptional dynamics of single cells may contribute to overall tissue behaviour.

Genetic Diversity of Prolactin Gene in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) as Affected by Location in Nigeria

Genetic Diversity of Prolactin Gene in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) as Affected by Location in Nigeria

POLYMORPHISM OF THE PROLACTIN GENE AND ITS EFFECT ON FIBER TRAITS IN GOAT.

The prolactin gene (PRL) is a potential candidate gene for the goat cashmere traits in marker-assisted selection. Thus, the aim of this study was to detect PRL gene polymorphism and its association with fiber traits in 200 Raini cashmere goats native to the south-east of Iran. A 196-bp fragment encoding exon 5 within the goat PRL gene was amplified using PCR specific primers. The amplification products were subjected to the single stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Three different SSCP banding patterns (CC, AC and AA) were observed in exon 5 of the caprine PRL gene. The pattern frequencies for CC, AC and AA were 0.39, 0.38 and 0.23 and frequencies of the A and C alleles were 0.42 and 0.58, respectively. The genotypic distributions did not deviate from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P> 0.05). The number of observed alleles, number of effective alleles, expected heterozygosity, observed heterozygosity, mean of heterozygosity, expected homozygosity, observed homozygosity, Nei's index and Shanon's index were 2.0, 1.9, 0.48, 0.38, 0.48, 0.51, 0.61, 0.48 and 0.68, respectively. Results of association between genotypes and fiber traits indicated that the CC genotype had the highest fiber length compared with the AA and AC genotypes (P < 0.05) while there was no significant association between the PRL gene genotypes and fiber diameter. These results imply that the PRL gene polymorphism can be used as a molecular marker to improve fiber production without a negative effect on fiber diameter.

Investigation of the promoter polymorphisms of the growth hormone (GH1), growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), and prolactin (PRL) genes and the correlation between gene expression and milk yields in Holstein cattle raised in Central Anatolia

Investigation of the promoter polymorphisms of the growth hormone (GH1), growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), and prolactin (PRL) genes and the correlation between gene expression and milk yields in Holstein cattle raised in Central Anatolia

Role of Estrogen Response Element in the Human Prolactin Gene: Transcriptional Response and Timing.

The use of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) reporter constructs in molecular physiology enables the inclusion of large sections of flanking DNA, likely to contain regulatory elements and enhancers regions that contribute to the transcriptional output of a gene. Using BAC recombineering, we have manipulated a 160-kb human prolactin luciferase (hPRL-Luc) BAC construct and mutated the previously defined proximal estrogen response element (ERE) located −1189 bp relative to the transcription start site, to assess its involvement in the estrogen responsiveness of the entire hPRL locus. We found that GH3 cell lines stably expressing Luc under control of the ERE-mutated hPRL promoter (ERE-Mut) displayed a dramatically reduced transcriptional response to 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment compared with cells expressing Luc from the wild-type (WT) ERE hPRL-Luc promoter (ERE-WT). The −1189 ERE controls not only the response to E2 treatment but also the acute transcriptional response to TNFα, which was abolished in ERE-Mut cells. ERE-WT cells displayed a biphasic transcriptional response after TNFα treatment, the acute phase of which was blocked after treatment with the estrogen receptor antagonist 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen. Unexpectedly, we show the oscillatory characteristics of hPRL promoter activity in individual living cells were unaffected by disruption of this crucial response element, real-time bioluminescence imaging showed that transcription cycles were maintained, with similar cycle lengths, in ERE-WT and ERE-Mut cells. These data suggest the −1189 ERE is the dominant response element involved in the hPRL transcriptional response to both E2 and TNFα and, crucially, that cycles of hPRL promoter activity are independent of estrogen receptor binding.

Genetic polymorphism in the promoter of prolactin gene in layer chicken

Genetic polymorphism of promoter (Fragment 1, 2 and 3) of prolactin gene in four strains of White Leghorn chicken layers i.e. IWH, IWI, IWK and layer control was identified. Two alleles (A and B) were found in all the promoter fragments of the gene. In above mentioned layer populations, A allele was predominant. The genotypic and allelic distribution was significantly differed among the populations. Different demographic and divergent parameters were estimated in all the lines. It is concluded that all 3 fragments of promoter of prolactin gene was polymorphic in four strains of White Leghorn layer populations.

LPXRFamide peptide stimulates growth hormone and prolactin gene expression during the spawning period in the grass puffer, a semi-lunar synchronized spawner

Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) plays as a multifunctional neurohormone that controls reproduction in birds and mammals. LPXRFamide (LPXRFa) peptide, the fish ortholog of GnIH, has been shown to regulate the secretion of not only gonadotropin (GTH) but also growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL), which are potentially important for gonadal function. To investigate the role of LPXRFa peptide on reproduction of the grass puffer, which spawns in semilunar cycles, we examined changes in the levels of gh and prl expression over the several months during the reproductive cycle, and the effects of goldfish LPXRFa peptide-1 (gfLPXRFa-1) on their expression were examined using primary pituitary cultures. The expression levels of both gh and prl showed significant changes during the reproductive cycle in both sexes with one peak in the spawning and pre-spawning periods for gh and prl, respectively. Particularly, gh showed substantial increase in expression in the spawning and post-spawning periods, indicative of its essentiality in the advanced stage of reproduction. gfLPXRFa-1 stimulated the expression of both gh and prl but there was a marked difference in response between them: gfLPXRFa-1 stimulated gh expression at a relatively low dose but little effect was observed on prl. Combined with the previous results of daily and circadian oscillations of lpxrfa expression, the present results suggest that LPXRFa peptide is important in the control of the cyclic reproduction by serving as a multifunctional hypophysiotropic factor that regulates the expression of gh and prl as well as GTH subunit genes.

Reduced Gene Dosage of Tfap2c Impairs Trophoblast Lineage Differentiation and Alters Maternal Blood Spaces in the Mouse Placenta.

Tfap2c is required for placental development and trophoblast stem cell maintenance. Deletion of Tfap2c results in early embryonic loss because of failure in placental development. We evaluated the effect of reduced Tfap2c expression on fetal outcome and placental development. Sixty percent of the heterozygous mice were lost directly after birth. Labyrinthine differentiation was impaired, as indicated by enhanced proliferation and inclusions of cobblestone-shaped cell clusters characterized by expression of Tfap2c and glycogen stores. Moreover, expression of marker genes such as Cdx2, Eomes, Gata3, and Ascl2 are decreased in the spongiotrophoblast and indicate a lowered stem cell potential. On Day 18.5 postcoitum, the labyrinth layer of Tfap2c(+/-) placentas exhibited massive hemorrhages in the maternal blood spaces; these hemorrhages might have contributed to the significantly reduced number of live-born pups. These morphological alterations were accompanied by a shift toward sinusoidal trophoblast giant cells as the cell subpopulation lining the maternal sinusoids and toward reduction in expression of the prolactin gene family member Prl2c2, a finding characteristic of the spiral arteries lining trophoblast cells. The trophoblast stem cells heterozygous for Tfap2c exhibited a reduction in the expression level of stem cell markers and in their proliferation and differentiation capacity but did not exhibit changes in marker genes of the trophoblast giant cell lineage. Taken together, these findings indicate that a reduction in the gene dosage of placental Tfap2c leads to morphological changes in the labyrinth at midgestation and in the maternal blood spaces during late pregnancy.

Role of the serotonergic axis in the reproductive failure associated with aging broiler breeder roosters

Reproductive failure associated with aging is a well-known phenomenon. However, the mechanism by which this failure occurs in broiler breeder roosters is still unclear. A previous study conducted in our laboratory, comparing young and aging broiler breeder roosters, demonstrated an elevation in hypothalamic vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary prolactin (PRL) gene expression accompanied by a deterioration of gonadal axis function. This resulted in a decrease in semen-quality variables as roosters aged. The objective of this study was to examine the involvement of the serotonergic axis in the age-associated reproductive failure in broiler breeder roosters. Cobb roosters aged 64 wk were divided into 3 groups (n = 20 each): parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) administration, active immunization against chicken VIP, and controls. At 69 wk of age, each group was divided into 2 equal subgroups: 1 received ovine PRL and the other served as controls. Weekly semen volume, concentration and motility, and plasma testosterone, estradiol, and PRL concentrations were examined. At the end of the experiment, roosters were euthanized, testes were weighed, and hypothalamus and pituitary were removed to assay the expression of genes encoding hypothalamic GnRH-I, pituitary FSH, pituitary LH, hypothalamic VIP, and pituitary PRL. Both PCPA administration and active immunization against chicken VIP significantly increased testis weight, semen volume, sperm concentration, ejaculation grade, plasma testosterone level, and GnRH-I, FSH and LH gene expression compared with controls (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, a decrease in plasma estradiol and PRL concentrations and VIP and PRL gene expression was observed in PCPA- and VIP-immunized birds compared with controls (P ≤ 0.05). Administration of PRL in all groups decreased gonadal axis function and semen-quality variables (P ≤ 0.05). Collectively, these results suggest that the increasing expression levels of the serotonergic axis in aging broiler breeder roosters inhibit proper gonadal function and reproductive performance. This article establishes for the first time the inhibitory role of serotonin on reproduction in aging roosters.

Analysis of Prolactin Gene Exon 4 Diversity in Peking, White Mojosari, and Peking White Mojosari Crossbreed

Genetic marker linked to loci reproductive traits could be used to increase an effectiveness of improvement in animal breeding. Association between DNA polymorphism and a trait could be considered as candidate genetic marker for marker assisted selection (MAS) programs. Prolactin (PRL) is one of polypeptide hormones secreted by anterior pituitary gland in vertebrates. PRL plays an important role in onset of poultry incubation and brooding behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of prolactin gene and to characterize the type of mutation in partial intron 3, intron 4 and exon 4 of duck prolactin gene. Blood extraction was collected from 168 ducks consisted of 19 Peking, 36 Mojosari, and 113 Peking White Mojosari (Peking Mojosari putih) ducks. Polymerase chain reaction of fragment prolactin gene exon 4 and partial intron 3 and 4 have been successfully amplified with length of base pair were 496 bp. A total of 30 µL PCR product from each sample were sequenced for forward sequence using BIOTRACE 3730 by First Base Company, Malaysia. Alignment analysis found six SNP consisted of g.3941T>G, g.3975C>A, g.4110T>C, INDEL 3724A, INDEL 34031, and INDEL 3939A. Analysis of SNP frequency result indicated mutation of INDEL 3724A, g.3941T>G, g.3975C>A, INDEL 4031A and g.4110T>A in duck sample were polymorphic and INDEL 3939A were monomorphic.