Fishy tales of prolactin-releasing peptide.
Prolactin (PRL) is an important regulator of multiple biological functions, but a specific PRL-releasing factor, PRL-releasing peptide (PrRP), was isolated only recently from mammals and teleosts. Although this peptide seems to be a strong candidate for being a physiologically relevant stimulator of PRL expression and secretion in teleost pituitary and peripheral organs, it may not be a typical or classic hypothalamic releasing factor in rats. We now know that its biological actions are not limited solely to PRL stimulation, because it is also a neuromodulator of several hypothalamus-pituitary axes and is involved in some brain circuits with the regulation of food intake and cardiovascular functions. Moreover, it plays a direct role in hypertension and retinal information processing. It is the purpose of this review to provide a comprehensive survey of our current knowledge of PrRP and to provide a comparative point of view.
Sakamoto
Tatsuya
T
Ushimado Marine Laboratory, Okayama University, Okayama 701-4303, Japan.
Fujimoto
Masaaki
M
Andot
Masaaki
M
D000818:Animals; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005399:Fishes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008322:Mammals / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*
D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011388:Prolactin