Review article

The role of prolactin in human breast cancer

Zlata Mujagić ; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nahida Srabović ; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Hamza Mujagić ; Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, Boston, USA

Abstract

Much of the literature on human breast cancer and prolactin (PRL) appears to be contradictory. PRL has been Brst recognized as a hormone that plays an important role in breast cancer initiation and development in rodents, and, at least partly, in humans. Bioactive PRL is synthesized by human breast cancer cells in culture and acts in an autocrine/paracrine stimulatory loop within breast tissue. The actions of this ligand are mediated by PRL receptor (PRLR) isoforms found on, or secreted by, human breast epithelium. The PRL/PRLR complex associates with, and activates, several signaling pathways that are shared with other members of the cytokine receptor superfamily. Proximal PRLR signaling is initiated by three tyrosine kinases, namely Jak2, Src, and Tec. Some recent literature data have indicated a functional role for PRL within the nucleus where it acts in a complex with cyclophilin B as a transcrip-tional inducer. Several epidemiological studies have indicated that PRL may also function as a progression factor for human breast cancer. PRL might be an important local growth promoter involved in the pathogenesis of human breast cancer. Hyperprolactinemia could be an indicator of disease progression and poor prognosis and clinical approaches to controlling this disease need to incorporate antagonists of PRL/PRLR interaction or PRL receptor-associated signal transduction.

Keywords

prolactin; breast cancer; prolactin receptors; prolactin signaling pathways; hyperprolactinemia

Hrčak ID:

40853

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/40853

Publication date:

24.9.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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