Abstract
Prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) is a peptide ligand for the human orphan G-protein-coupled receptor hGR3/GPR10 and causes the secretion of prolactin from anterior pituitary cells. However, the lack of immunoreactive staining for PrRP in the external layer of the median eminence seems to rule out this peptide as a classical hypophysiotropic hormone and, furthermore, PrRP is less effective than another inducer of prolactin secretion, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, both in vitro and in vivo. Here we show a reduction in the expression of PrRP mRNA during lactation and fasting and an acute effect of PrRP on food intake and body weight, supporting the hypothesis of an alternative role for the peptide.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cerebral Ventricles / drug effects
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Cerebral Ventricles / physiology
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Eating / physiology*
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Fasting / physiology
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Female
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Humans
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Hypothalamic Hormones / genetics
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Hypothalamic Hormones / pharmacology*
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Hypothalamic Hormones / physiology*
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Injections, Intraventricular
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Lactation / physiology
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Neuropeptides / genetics
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Neuropeptides / pharmacology*
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Neuropeptides / physiology*
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Prolactin-Releasing Hormone
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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Rats
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Receptors, Neuropeptide / genetics
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Receptors, Neuropeptide / physiology*
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Transcription, Genetic
Substances
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Hypothalamic Hormones
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Neuropeptides
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PRLH protein, human
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Prlh protein, rat
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Prolactin-Releasing Hormone
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RNA, Messenger
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Receptors, Neuropeptide
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receptor, prolactin-releasing peptide