title: Identification and characterization of a prolactin-like polypeptide synthesized by mitogen-stimulated murine lymphocytes.
abstract: Previously, we have reported that concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated murine splenocytes synthesize and secrete into the medium a substance with prolactin (PRL)-like properties. Western blot analysis of the culture medium of Con A-stimulated murine splenocytes identified a PRL-like polypeptide (Ly-PLP) with an apparent molecular weight (Mr) of 46 kd. Rabbit anti-rat PRL antibody (S-9, NIDDK) was used for immunostaining. Specificity was proved by the absence of a band in properly preabsorbed primary and secondary antibodies. Electroeluted Ly-PLP enhanced the mitogenic response of lymphocytes to Con A. In situ hybridization analysis of dispersed lymphocyte smears demonstrated the presence of an mRNA that hybridized with a rat PRL cDNA probe. The size of the mRNA species was 1.4 kb on Northern blot analysis. Two-dimensional peptide map analysis of pituitary PRL and Ly-PLP showed three peptides with identical migration characteristics. Western blot analysis of lymphocyte culture medium following Con-A-affinity column treatment provided evidence that the Ly-PLP was a non-glycoprotein. Therefore, we conclude that Ly-PLP represents a structural variant of pituitary-PRL (Pit-PRL), and provide evidence to strongly suggest that it is a novel lymphokine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Laird
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D006031:Glycosylation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D010449:Peptide Mapping; D011388:Prolactin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003208:Concanavalin A; D011388:Prolactin; D004247:DNA