title: Effect of rapamycin on prolactin-stimulated S6 kinase activity and milk product formation in mouse mammary explants.
abstract: The in vitro effects of rapamycin on prolactin (PRL)-stimulated S6 kinase activity and milk product synthesis were investigated in cultured mouse mammary tissues. Mouse mammary gland explants were initially incubated for 24 h in M199 media containing 1 microgram/ml insulin and 10(-7) M cortisol. A subsequent treatment of the tissues with 1 microgram/ml PRL for 12 h caused a 98% increase in S6 kinase activity in the cytosolic fraction; effects were not observed at earlier times. PRL at or above 500 ng/ml was needed to elicit a maximum stimulation of S6 kinase activity, and this response was specific for lactogenic hormones (PRL, hPL, hGH). Rapamycin, an inhibitor of 70 K S6 kinase, was employed to assess the possible physiological role of S6 kinase in the PRL stimulation of milk product formation. Rapamycin (25-100 ng/ml) impeded, in a dose-dependent fashion, the PRL stimulation of casein, lipid and lactose synthesis in concert with its inhibition of cytoplasmic S6 kinase activity. These results suggest a possible role for the activation of 70 K kinase in the signalling pathway for the PRL regulation of milk product synthesis in the mammary gland.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hang
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rillema
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008892:Milk; D011090:Polyenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019893:Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D020123:Sirolimus
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011090:Polyenes; D011388:Prolactin; D019893:Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases; D020123:Sirolimus