Androgen-independent effects of prolactin on the different lobes of the immature rat prostate.
In this study, we have examined the respective roles of androgens and prolactin (Prl) on rat prostate development and function. Hypophysectomized immature rats, castrated or not after hypophysectomy and treated or not with a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, were used to study the different aspects of Prl action on the rat prostate and its synergy with androgens in vivo. Using Northern blot analysis and quantitation of prostatic mRNAs, we have shown that Prl significantly increases the steady-state levels of transcripts coding for several lobe-specific proteins: the C3 subunit of prostatein, probasin, and RWB. We have confirmed these observations in vitro, on explants of immature rat prostate treated with either saline, Prl, or testosterone. In addition, we have demonstrated by a nuclear run-on assay that Prl significantly enhances the transcription rate of the C3 gene in the rat prostate. We conclude that the effects of Prl concern all lobes of the organ and are, at least in part, androgen-independent. Moreover, Prl is able, via an androgen-independent pathway, to increase the rate of transcription of the C3 gene, one of the major products of the rat prostate.
Reiter
E
E
Laboratory of Endocrinology, University of Liège, Belgium.
Lardinois
S
S
Klug
M
M
Sente
B
B
Hennuy
B
B
Bruyninx
M
M
Closset
J
J
Hennen
G
G
D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011388:Prolactin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D060789:Prostatein; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D060765:Secretoglobins; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014598:Uteroglobin; D060788:Mammaglobin B
D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase; D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein; D000728:Androgens; D011388:Prolactin; D060789:Prostatein; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D060765:Secretoglobins; D013739:Testosterone; D014598:Uteroglobin; C511484:Scgb1d2 protein, rat; C511483:Scgb1d4 protein, rat; C027519:probasin; C556468:Scgb2a1 protein, rat; D060788:Mammaglobin B