PUBLICATION
Prolactin-dependent modulation of organogenesis in the vertebrate: Recent discoveries in zebrafish
- Authors
- Nguyen, N., Stellwag, E.J., and Zhu, Y.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-080707-3
- Date
- 2008
- Source
- Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology : CBP 148(4): 370-380 (Review)
- Registered Authors
- Zhu, Yong
- Keywords
- Organogenesis, Embryogenesis, Embryonic development, Prolactin, PRL, Growth hormone, GH, Somatolactin, Placental lactogen, Zebrafish
- MeSH Terms
-
- Amphibians/embryology
- Amphibians/metabolism
- Animals
- Fishes/embryology
- Fishes/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Growth Hormone/metabolism
- Mammals/embryology
- Mammals/metabolism
- Organogenesis*
- Prolactin/genetics
- Prolactin/metabolism*
- Receptors, Prolactin/genetics
- Receptors, Prolactin/metabolism*
- Signal Transduction*/genetics
- Species Specificity
- Zebrafish/embryology
- Zebrafish/genetics
- Zebrafish/metabolism*
- PubMed
- 18593647 Full text @ Comp. Biochem. Physiol. C Toxicol. Pharmacol.
Citation
Nguyen, N., Stellwag, E.J., and Zhu, Y. (2008) Prolactin-dependent modulation of organogenesis in the vertebrate: Recent discoveries in zebrafish. Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology : CBP. 148(4):370-380.
Abstract
The scientific literature is replete with evidence of the multifarious functions of the prolactin (PRL)/growth hormone (GH) superfamily in adult vertebrates. However, little information is available on the roles of PRL and related hormones prior to the adult stage of development. A limited number of studies suggest that GH functions to stimulate glucose transport and protein synthesis in mouse blastocytes and may be involved during mammalian embryogenesis. In contrast, the evidence for a role of PRL during vertebrate embryogenesis is limited and controversial. Genes encoding GH/PRL hormones and their respective receptors are actively transcribed and translated in various animal models at different time points, particularly during tissue remodeling. We have addressed the potential function of GH/PRL hormones during embryonic development in zebrafish by the temporary inhibition of in vivo PRL translation. This treatment caused multiple morphological defects consistent with a role of PRL in embryonic-stage organogenesis. The affected organs and tissues are known targets of PRL activity in fish and homologous structures in mammalian species. Traditionally, the GH/PRL hormones are viewed as classical endocrine hormones, mediating functions through the circulatory system. More recent evidence points to cytokine-like actions of these hormones through either an autocrine or a paracrine mechanism. In some situations they could mimic actions of developmentally regulated genes as suggested by experiments in multiple organisms. In this review, we present similarities and disparities between zebrafish and mammalian models in relation to PRL and PRLR activity. We conclude that the zebrafish could serve as a suitable alternative to the rodent model to study PRL functions in development, especially in relation to organogenesis.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping