title: The prolactin releasing peptides: RF-amide peptides.
abstract: Although dopamine is considered the major hypothalamic controller of prolactin release from the anterior pituitary gland, there is evidence that a yet to be discovered prolactin releasing factor (PRF) also exists in brain. Recently, two peptides were isolated, products of the same prohormone, that were reported to have significant prolactin-releasing activity. These peptides, called prolactin releasing peptides, are not accepted by all investigators to be in fact PRFs. Instead, it appears that their widespread distribution in brain and the presence of receptors for the peptides in sites unrelated to neuroendocrine function are the basis for a variety of central nervous system action including activation of the autonomic nervous system. Thus, these peptides may not be PRFs, but instead neuroactive agents that are involved in many brain circuits with divergent functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University, School of Medicine, Missouri 63104, USA.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Samson
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D056690:Prolactin-Releasing Hormone; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; C534377:PRLH protein, human; C534379:Prlh protein, rat; D056690:Prolactin-Releasing Hormone; D011388:Prolactin