title: Characterization of a prolactin-daunomycin ligand as a probe for drug targeting.
abstract: Conjugates of ovine prolactin and daunomycin were prepared for use as affinity-labelled drug carriers in cancer cells carrying the prolactin receptor. The binding affinity of the conjugates to prolactin receptors in rat liver membrane preparations and in viable granulosa cells derived from estradiol- and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)-treated immature female rats was less than an order of magnitude lower than prolactin. The toxicity of the conjugate in cultured granulosa cells was dependent upon the concentration of the daunomycin present in the culture. The cytotoxic effect of the ligand was abolished by the addition of free prolactin or NH4Cl to the granulosa cell cultures. These conjugates may be useful probes in drug targeting against hormone-sensitive cancer.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008024:Ligands; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011388:Prolactin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; C050061:prolactin-daunomycin ligand; D011374:Progesterone; D011388:Prolactin; D003630:Daunorubicin