Prolactin and growth hormone receptors.

The two hormones prolactin and growth hormone exhibit considerable structural homology as well as exerting similar biological effects, especially the primate hormones. One effect of prolactin that deserves greater attention is its action on the immune system including the stimulation of growth of experimental lymphomas, both in vivo and in vitro. One cultured lymphoma cell line has proved to be a very useful model system in which to examine prolactin receptor synthesis and turnover as well as post-receptor mechanisms of action. Prolactin and growth hormone receptors from rabbit mammary gland and liver respectively have been partially purified and characterized. Polyclonal antibodies to prolactin and growth hormone receptors have been generated. The antibodies have been shown to cross-react with prolactin or growth hormone receptors from a number of species, indicating structural homology among receptors as well as hormones. The polyclonal antisera inhibit the action of prolactin in vivo as well as in vitro. In addition, several of the same antisera also mimic the action of prolactin. As yet the presence of autoantibodies to prolactin or growth hormone receptors in human serum samples has not been recognized.