title: [Prolactin and its cleaved 16 kDa fragment].
abstract: Prolactin, owing to its origins, actions and molecular forms, is an ubiquitous and pleiotropic hormone. Indeed prolactin, initially thought to be essentially synthesized in the hypophysis, is also produced by several tissues in mammals. It is involved in more than 300 different biological activities, such as reproduction, developmental immunity and behaviour. It is also described under several molecular forms resulting from co- or post-translational modifications and enzymatic cleavage. Among these, the 16 kDa form, derived from native prolactin, has received particular attention because of its inhibitory effect on angiogenesis. Recent results have suggested an important role of tissue enzymes in the production of this form in several tissues (retina, myocardium and mammary gland). The cleavage leading to the production of 16 kDa prolactin may occur outside the cells, in the interstitial medium and therefore in the vicinity of blood capillaries. This process implies tissue-specific mechanisms of regulation. A better knowledge of the location of the cleavage and of the regulation of these activities of the cleaving enzymes is now essential for controlling the processes. This knowledge will allow a better understanding of the relationships between some pathologies (cardiomyopathy, pre-eclampsia, retinopathy) and modification of the production of the anti-angiogenic form of prolactin.
authors.affiliation: Département de biologie, Faculté des sciences, Université Chouaib Doukkali, BP 20, El Jadida, Morocco.
authors.forename: Mustapha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lkhider
authors.forename: Touria
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seddiki
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ollivier-Bousquet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000503:physiopathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000502:physiology; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011388:Prolactin