Prolactin in man: a tale of two promoters
2006
Prolactin in Humans: Two Promoters and Their Roles
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Sarah Gerlo, Julian RE Davis, Dixie L Mager, Ron Kooijman
Primary Institution: Ghent University
Hypothesis
The transposon insertion event has resulted in divergent expression of prolactin in primates, leading to different functions in lactation and pregnancy.
Conclusion
The study suggests that extrapituitary prolactin may play a significant role in reproduction, potentially influencing implantation and lactation.
Supporting Evidence
- Prolactin is important for lactation and reproduction in mammals.
- Alternative promoters can lead to different functions of the same gene in different tissues.
- Transposable elements can influence gene expression and regulation.
Takeaway
This study looks at how a hormone called prolactin is made in different parts of the body and how this might help with having babies and feeding them.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on human prolactin and may not fully account for variations in other species.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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