Prolactin Rat

Recombinant rat prolactin is a non-glycosylated polypeptide chain consisting of 197 amino acids . It is produced using Escherichia coli (E. coli) expression systems, which allows for high-yield production of biologically active proteins . The molecular weight of recombinant rat prolactin is approximately 22.5 kDa .

Prolactin functions by binding to receptor dimers on the cytoplasmic surface of target cells, primarily activating the STAT5 pathway . This activation leads to alterations in gene activity, which are crucial for its biological effects. The hormone is fully biologically active when compared to standard prolactin, with an ED50 (effective dose) determined by a cell proliferation assay using rat Nb2-11 cells being less than 1.0 ng/ml .

Recombinant rat prolactin is used in various research applications, including studies on lactation, immune response, and cell proliferation . It is typically lyophilized and stored at -20°C to -70°C for long-term stability . Upon reconstitution, it should be stored at 2-8°C for short-term use and at -20°C to -70°C for long-term storage, avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles .

Prolactin has significant roles in both physiological and pathological conditions. It is involved in the regulation of the immune system, with studies showing its activation of T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells . Hyperprolactinemia, or elevated levels of prolactin, is associated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) .