Ruminant placental lactogens act as antagonists to homologous growth hormone receptors and as agonists to human or rabbit growth hormone receptors

Differences in affinities between the homologous and the heterologous rabbit prolactin-receptor interaction with respect to proliferation and differentiation activities

Interspecies differences in PRL-receptor binding and their relationship with bioactivity deserve investigation since cross-reactivity is relevant to the design of many experiments. We have previously shown that the lower affinity of rabbit prolactin (rbPRL) binding to its homologous receptor is due to its faster and more complete dissociation compared with that of ovine PRL (oPRL). In order to obtain sufficient amounts of rbPRL to study the functional consequences of its low affinity homologous interaction, rbPRL was expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli (rec rbPRL) as insoluble inclusion bodies, refolded and purified to homogeneity, yielding electrophoretically pure, over 98% monomeric rec rbPRL. Proper renaturation of rec rbPRL was evidenced by comparison of its CD spectra, binding parameters and bioactivity with those determined for the rbPRL. The binding potency of rec rbPRL to its receptor, expressed either endogenously in the mammary gland or recombinantly in mammalian cells is one log unit lower than that to the receptor expressed recombinantly in insect cells. This difference is probably related to differences in cell-dependent receptor densities. The proliferation potency of rbPRL or rec rbPRL was one log unit lower than that of oPRL, consistent with its lower binding affinity, but the differentiation potencies of these PRLs were similar. Thus, the proliferation activity is sensitive to PRL-receptor affinity and dissociation kinetics, whereas the differentiation response is marginally modulated.

Evolution of Placental Function in Mammals: The Molecular Basis of Gas and Nutrient Transfer, Hormone Secretion, and Immune Responses

Placenta has a wide range of functions. Some are supported by novel genes that have evolved following gene duplication events while others require acquisition of gene expression by the trophoblast. Although not expressed in the placenta, high-affinity fetal hemoglobins play a key role in placental gas exchange. They evolved following duplications within the beta-globin gene family with convergent evolution occurring in ruminants and primates. In primates there was also an interesting rearrangement of a cassette of genes in relation to an upstream locus control region. Substrate transfer from mother to fetus is maintained by expression of classic sugar and amino acid transporters at the trophoblast microvillous and basal membranes. In contrast, placental peptide hormones have arisen largely by gene duplication, yielding for example chorionic gonadotropins from the luteinizing hormone gene and placental lactogens from the growth hormone and prolactin genes. There has been a remarkable degree of convergent evolution with placental lactogens emerging separately in the ruminant, rodent, and primate lineages and chorionic gonadotropins evolving separately in equids and higher primates. Finally, coevolution in the primate lineage of killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and human leukocyte antigens can be linked to the deep invasion of the uterus by trophoblast that is a characteristic feature of human placentation.

Native and recombinant bovine placental lactogens

The bovine placenta produces a wide variety of proteins that are structurally and functionally similar to the pituitary proteins from the GH/PRL gene family. Bovine placental lactogen (bPL) is a 200-amino acid long glycoprotein hormone that exhibits both lactogenic and somatogenic properties. The apparent molecular masses of purified native (n) bPL molecules (31-33 kDa) exceed 23 041 Da, which is the theoretical molecular mass of the protein core. At least six isoelectric variants (pI: 4.85-6.3) of bPL were described in cotyledonary extracts and three different bPL isoforms (pI: 4.85-5.25) were found in fetal sera. The bPL molecules that are detected in higher concentrations in peripheral circulation exhibit a more acidic pI than those present in placental homogenates. This may reflect an important glycosylation process occurring just prior to the bPL secretion. The bPL mRNA is transcribed in trophectoderm binucleate cells starting from Day 30 of pregnancy until the end of gestation. In mothers, bPL is involved in the regulation of ovarian function, mammogenesis, lactogenesis, and pregnancy stage-dependent adaptation of nutrient supplies to the fetus. Due to the higher fetal, compared to maternal concentrations of circulating hormone, it has been suggested that bPL primarily targets fetal tissues.

Pituitary and placental ovine growth hormone variants differ in their receptor-binding ability and in their biological properties

The wild-type (WT) GH2-N ovine growth hormone (oGH) and duplicated GH2-Z genes differ in their open reading frame by two nonsynonymous substitutions, predicting a two-amino-acid difference in their product (G9R/G63S). Three recombinant oGH muteins: G9R, G63S and G9R/G63S, were prepared by site-directed mutagenesis of the WT oGH gene, expressed in E. coli, refolded and purified as monomers with over 98% homogeneity. Gel-filtration experiments with WT oGH and the three muteins indicated formation of 1:2 complexes with oGH receptor extracellular domain (oGHR-ECD). Interactions of oGHR-ECD with the WT and the muteins were studied by surface plasmon resonance. Kinetics constants calculated using a two-site model predicted that G9R/G63S has the highest affinity to oGHR-ECD, WT oGH the lowest, and G9R and G63S have intermediate affinities. These relative affinities were further investigated by radioreceptor assay with EC50 values were the lowest for G9R/G63S, highest for WT oGH, and intermediate for G9R and G63S. Bioactivity of the WT oGH and oGH muteins was determined by proliferation assay with FDC-P1-3B9 cells stably transfected with rabbit GHR. Relative proliferation rates of cells in cultures treated with the WT, G63S, G9R or G9R/G63S variants were 100%, 183%, 259% and 498%, respectively. In COS-7 transfected with oGHR, LHRE-TK-luciferase and beta-galactosidase plasmids G9R/G63S showed 18% higher activity than WT oGH (P<0.001). Thus the product of the oGH duplicated copy has higher affinity for GHR and higher somatogenic activity. As the GH2-Z gene copy is expressed in the placenta, allelic differences at the oGH locus may influence feto-placental development.

Action of IGF-I on Expression of the Long Form of the Leptin Receptor (ObRb) in the Prepubertal Period and Throughout the Estrous Cycle in the Mature Pig Ovary

Leptin is an important satiety hormone and reproductive regulator found, along with its receptors, throughout the ovary. To date, the changes in ovarian expression of leptin receptor during the prepubertal period and throughout the estrous cycle in the pig have not been studied. In this study, the long form of the leptin receptor was a detectable level in immature pig ovarian follicles when assayed using semiquantitative reverse transcription-polimerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Moreover, its level was increased in growing follicles during follicular phase of the estrous cycle (6-fold in early antral [EAF] and antral [AF] follicles) and was highest in newly formed corpora lutea. Its changes paralleled those in steroid secretion and especially progesterone (P(4)) secretion. Additionally, we showed that insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I had stimulatory effect on leptin receptor expression using a tissue culture model of follicular and luteal cells, with a 12-fold increase in prepubertal ovaries and a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in growing follicles and newly formed corpora lutea (CL). These results suggest that ovarian expression of leptin receptor is regulated throughout the estrous cycle by ovarian steroids, with peak expression at ovulation, indicating a possible involvement in follicular development and corpus luteum formation. Moreover, this data points to an important role of IGF-I in leptin receptor expression during the entire estrous cycle, with a special role during the prepubertal period.

Crystal Structure and Site 1 Binding Energetics of Human Placental Lactogen

In primates, placental lactogen (PL) is a pituitary hormone with fundamental roles during pregnancy involving fetal growth, metabolism, and stimulating lactation in the mother. Human placental lactogen (hPL) is highly conserved with human growth hormone (hGH) and both hormones bind to the hPRLR extracellular domain (ECD), the first step in receptor homodimerization, in a Zn2+-dependent manner. A modified surface plasmon resonance method was developed to measure the kinetics for hPL and hGH binding to the hPRLR ECD, with and without Zn2+ and showed that hPL has about a tenfold higher affinity for the hPRLR ECD1 than hGH. The crystal structure of the free state of hPL has been determined to 2.0 A resolution showing the molecule possesses an overall structure similar to other long chain four-helix bundle cytokines. Comparison of the free hPL structure with the 1:1 complex structure of hGH bound to the hPRLR ECD1 suggests that two surface loops undergo conformational changes >10 A upon binding. An 18 residue Ala-scan was used to characterize the binding energy epitope for the site 1 interface of hPL. Individual alanine substitutions at five positions reduced binding affinity by a DeltaDeltaG > or = 3 kcal mol(-1). A comparison of the hPL site 1 epitope with that previously determined for hGH indicates contributions of individual residues track reasonably well between hPL and hGH. In particular, residues involved in the zinc-binding site and Lys172 constitute the principal binding determinants for both hormones. However, several residues that are identical between hPL and hGH contribute quite differently to the binding of the hPRLR ECD1. Additionally, the overall magnitudes of the DeltaDeltaG changes observed from the Ala-scan of hPL were markedly larger than those determined in the comparative scan of hGH to the hPRLR ECD1. The structural and biophysical data presented here show that subtle changes in the structural context of an interaction can lead to significantly different effects at the individual residue level.

Expression and purification of human placenta lactogen in Escherichia coli

There are many growth factors secreted by placenta including growth hormone, placenta lactogen (PL), prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, and chorionic gonadotropin. For a systematic study of how these growth factors work together to result in the various biological functions and future clinical applications, it is needed to produce enough quantities of each protein. In this paper, we report the cloning of human PL (hPL) and expression by Escherichia coli (E. coli). Four kinds of expression vectors containing the hPL gene were transformed into several kinds of suitable host strains and grown at 37 and/or 30 degrees C. Determination of the yield of recombinant hPL by SDS-PAGE reveals that among the various conditions, pQE30-PL in E. coli strain M15[pREP4] expressed the largest amount of recombinant hPL at 37 degrees C. However, the expressed recombinant hPL was accumulated in inclusion body forms. The inclusion bodies were solubilized in 8M urea and purified by a His6 tagged affinity column under denaturing condition and the final yield of hPL was determined to be 48 mg/L. Intra-chain disulfide bonds could be formed either by oxidation in the refolding buffer or by air oxidation in the presence of urea. The biological activity was examined by the fact that hPL could stimulate erythroid maturation by the formation of hemoglobin in K-562 cells in the presence of erythropoietin. Initial optimization studies resulted in the production of 282.4 mg/L of hPL.

In vitro effect of leptin on growth hormone (GH)- and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)-stimulated progesterone secretion and apoptosis in developing and mature corpora lutea of pig ovaries

This study was designed to determine whether leptin modulates growth hormone (GH)- and insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I)-stimulated progesterone (P4) production by corpora lutea (CL). Luteal cells were recovered from early developing (ELP) and mature (MLP) corpora lutea and cultured in defined medium with various combinations of GH, IGF-I, and leptin (0-200 ng/ml). P4 concentrations in the media were determined after 48 h of culture. During the early luteal phase, leptin at all used doses had no effect on basal P4 secretion, but it did suppress caspase-3 activity. When added in combination with GH, it had no effect on either GH-stimulated P4 secretion or apoptosis. Concomitant treatment with IGF-I and leptin decreased P4 secretion and parallelly increased the apoptosis rate. In mature corpora lutea of full secreting capacity, leptin at all doses had no effect on basal and GH-stimulated P4 secretion and caspase-3 activity. Only at the highest dose (200 ng/ml) when leptin was added with IGF-I did P4 secretion decrease with no effect on the caspase-3 activity. We conclude that the role of leptin is to restrict the stage of CL formation. During this luteal phase, leptin acts as an antiapoptotic factor and, at the same time, reverses antiapoptotic action of IGF-I, thereby protecting cells from excessive apoptosis and supporting retention of appropriate cell numbers, which is necessary for maintenance of homeostasis in developing CL.

Reproduction and plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 in growth-hormone-transgenic female sheep before and after artificial insemination

The transgenic sheep used in this study expressed an additional copy of the gene for ovine growth hormone (GH), so they had continuously high plasma concentrations of GH. They were used to test whether the GH transgene affected plasma concentrations of the metabolic hormones leptin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin, and whether these effects were associated with changes in conception, pregnancy or parturition following artificial insemination. Compared with control animals, the GH-transgenic sheep had higher bodyweight, lower body condition score and less subcutaneous fat (P < 0.05). These sheep also had lower plasma concentrations of leptin, higher plasma concentrations of insulin, and higher plasma concentrations of IGF-1 (P < 0.001). A similar proportion of GH-transgenic and control ewes came into oestrus, but the conception rate to artificial insemination was lower in GH-transgenic ewes than in the controls. Only four live lambs were recovered from 12 GH-transgenic ewes (33%) compared with 38 lambs from 43 controls (88%). This outcome was not associated with any difference in plasma progesterone profile in the period leading up to artificial insemination (Day 0). The GH-transgenic ewes had lower concentrations of FSH at all times measured (Day -19, Day -2 and Day 19). These results indicate that appropriate regulation of GH secretion from pituitary or peripheral tissues is necessary for normal reproduction and normal levels of metabolic hormones. Chronically high concentrations of GH were associated with increased levels of IGF-1 and insulin, and decreased levels of leptin.

Placental hormones and fetal–placental development

Production of growth promoting substances by the placenta is regulated differently from the way production of similar compounds is regulated by maternal organs in various cases. Gene duplication is one of the mechanisms that facilitated the evolution of placental specific endocrine activity. Cattle, sheep and goats, although evolutionarily related, differ significantly from each other in the way their placental growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL)-like hormones have evolved. Cattle carry one copy of the GH gene and there is no evidence yet for expression of that single GH gene copy in the placenta. On the other hand, the ovine GH gene has been duplicated and both oGH copies are expressed in the placenta during early stages of gestation. Prolactin gene duplication in ruminants resulted in the formation of specific placental-expressed prolactin-related genes including the placental lactogen (PL) gene. In homologous state, ovine PL manifests PRL activity, but antagonizes GH activity. Ovine PL activity which can be mediated by PRL receptors or by hetero-dimerization of GH and PRL receptors, provide a novel regulatory mechanism for somatogenic activity dependent on the coexistence of both GH and PRL receptors in the same cells. Another mechanism for specific placental endocrine activity is silencing of the alleles through genetic imprinting. Disruption of genetic imprinting of placental genes has been proposed as one of the explanations for the loss of cloned fetuses generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Effect of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I on spontaneous apoptosis in cultured luteal cells collected from early, mature, and regressing porcine corpora lutea

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) act at a local level to inhibit luteal cell apoptosis. Luteal cells collected from the corpora lutea at different stages of the luteal phase were cultured for 24 h in M 199 medium supplemented with 5% of calf serum to cause attachment cells to the plastic. After 24 h, the media were changed and various concentrations of GH (10, 100 or 200 ng/ml) or IGF-I (30, 50 or 100 ng/ml) were added to the culture medium. Twenty-four hours later, cells were fixed for morphological assessment of apoptotic cells utilising a Hoechst staining technique. To support morphological observations, measurements of caspase-3 activity in cultured porcine luteal cells were performed. Increased incidence of apoptotic bodies and caspase-3 activity accompanied luteal regression and was associated with a decreased progesterone (P4) secretion by luteal cells. GH stimulated P4 secretion by luteal cells collected from developing (ELP) and mature (MLP) corpora lutea but had no effect on its secretion by cells collected from regressing corpora lutea (LLP). Moreover, it had no effect on the incidence of apoptotic bodies in all types of corpora lutea. However, suppression of caspase-3 activity was observed with 100 and 200 ng of GH/ml in all types of corpora lutea. IGF-I had a stimulatory effect on P4 secretion by ELP and MLP, decreased the incidence of apoptotic bodies and suppressed caspase-3 activity in cultures treated with all doses used. In conclusion, our results indicate that both GH and IGF-1 trigger anti-apoptotic effects either indirectly, by increasing progesterone secretion, or directly, through the inhibition of caspase-3 activity and subsequent prevention of apoptotic body formation.

The structural basis for biological signaling, regulation, and specificity in the growth hormone-prolactin system of hormones and receptors

The pituitary hormones growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and placental lactogen (PL), are members of an extensive cytokine superfamily of hormones and receptors that share many of the same general structure-function relationships in expressing their biological activities. The biology of the pituitary hormones involves a very sophisticated interplay of cross-reactivity and specificity. Biological activity is triggered via a hormone-induced receptor homodimerization process that is regulated by tertiary features of the hormone. These hormones have an asymmetric four alpha-helical bundle structure that gives rise to two receptor binding sites that have distinctly different topographies and electrostatic character. This feature plays an important role in the regulation of these systems by producing binding surfaces with dramatically different binding affinities to the receptor extracellular domains (ECD). As a consequence, the signaling complexes for systems that activate through receptor homodimerization are formed in a controlled sequential step-wise manner. Extensive biochemical and biophysical characterization of the two hormone-receptor interfaces indicate that the energetic properties of the two binding sites are fundamentally different and that the receptor shows extraordinary conformational plasticity to mate with the topographically dissimilar sites on the hormone. An unexpected finding has been that the two hormone binding sites are allosterically coupled; a certain set of mutations in the higher affinity site can produce both conformational and energetic effects in the lower affinity site. These effects are so large that at some level they must have played some role in the evolution of the molecule.

Ovine placental lactogen-induced heterodimerization of ovine growth hormone and prolactin receptors in living cells is demonstrated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy and leads to prolonged phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 and STAT3

HEK-293T cells transiently transfected with ovine (o) GH receptor (GHR) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) constructs respectively tagged downstream with cyan or yellow fluorescent proteins were used to study ovine placental lactogen (oPL)-stimulated heterodimerization by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy. The oPL-stimulated transient heterodimerization of GHR and PRLR had a peak occurring 2.5-3 min after oPL application, whereas oGH or oPRL had no effect at all. The results indicate none or only little dimerization occurring before the hormonal stimulation. The effect of heterodimerization was studied by comparing activation of Janus kinase 2, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1, STAT3, STAT5, and MAPK in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with chimeric genes encoding receptors consisting of cytosolic and transmembrane parts of oGHR and oPRLR, extracellular domains of human granulocyte and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) receptor alpha or beta, and cells transfected with the two forms (alpha or beta) of PRLR and GHR. Functionality of those proteins was verified by hGM-CSF-induced phosphorylation of both intracellular PRLR and GHR domains and hGM-CSF-induced heterodimerization was documented by chimeric receptor coimmunoprecipitation. Homodimerization or heterodimerization of PRLRs and GHRs had no differential effect on activation of STAT5 and MAPK. However, heterodimerization resulted in a prolonged phosphorylation of STAT1 and in particular STAT3, suggesting that the heterodimerization of alpha-oGHR and beta-oPRLR is able to transduce a signal, which is distinct from that occurring on homodimeric associations.

Ovine placental lactogen specifically binds to endometrial glands of the ovine uterus

A hormonal servomechanism has been proposed to regulate differentiation and function of the endometrial glandular epithelium (GE) in the ovine uterus during pregnancy. This mechanism involves sequential actions of estrogen, progesterone, ovine interferon tau (IFNtau), placental lactogen (oPL), and placental growth hormone (oGH). The biological actions of oPL in vitro are mediated by homodimerization of the prolactin receptor (oPRLR) and heterodimerization of the oPRLR and oGH receptor. The objectives of the study were to determine the effects of intrauterine oPL, oGH, and their combination on endometrial histoarchitecture and gene expression and to localize and characterize binding sites for oPL in the ovine uterus in vivo using an in situ ligand binding assay. Intrauterine infusion of oPL and/or oGH following IFNtau into ovariectomized ewes treated with progesterone daily differentially affected endometrial gland number and expression of uterine milk proteins and osteopontin. However, neither hormone affected PRLR, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, or IGF-II mRNA levels in the endometrium. A chimeric protein of placental secretory alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) and oPL was used to identify and characterize binding sites for oPL in frozen sections of interplacentomal endometrium from pregnant ewes. Specific binding of SEAP-oPL was detected in the endometrial GE on Days 30, 60, 90, and 120 of pregnancy. In Day 90 endometrium, SEAP-oPL binding to the endometrial GE was displaced completely by oPL and prolactin (oPRL) but only partially by oGH. Binding experiments using the extracellular domain of the oPRLR also showed that iodinated oPL binding sites could be competed for by oPRL and oPL but not by oGH. Collectively, results indicate that oPL binds to receptors in the endometrial glands and that oPRL is more effective than oGH in competing for these binding sites. Thus, effects of oPL on the endometrial glands may be mediated by receptors for oPRL and oGH.

Preparation and expression of biologically active prolactin and growth hormone receptors and suppressor of cytokine signaling proteins 1, 2, 3, and 6 tagged with cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins

To prepare reagents for a study of the interactions of prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) receptors (Rs) with suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins in living cells by fluorescence resonance energy transfer methodology, the respective proteins were tagged with cyan (CFP) or yellow (YFP) fluorescent protein. Constructs encoding ovine (o)PRLR-YFP, oPRLR-CFP, oGHR-YFP, and oGHR-CFP tagged downstream of the receptor DNA were prepared in the plasmid pcDNA plasmid and tested for biological activity in HEK 293T cells transiently cotransfected with those constructs and the reporter gene encoding luciferase. All four constructs were biologically active and as potent as their untagged counterparts. Cells transfected with those proteins exhibited fluorescence in the cytoplasm and the membrane. Constructs encoding DNA tagged with YFP or CFP upstream of SOCS1, SOCS2, SOCS3, and SOCS6 were prepared in pECFP-C1 and pEYFP-C1 plasmids. The biological activities of SOCS1 and SOCS3 tagged at their amino termini were assayed by their ability to inhibit placental lactogen (PL)- or GH-induced activation of JAK2/STAT5-mediated luciferase transcription in HEK 293T cells; the activity of SOCS2 was assayed by its ability to abolish SOCS1-induced inhibition. The tagged proteins exhibited biological activity that was equal to or even more potent than their untagged counterparts. The biological activities of CFP-SOCS2 and YFP-SOCS2 were also assayed using GST-GHR binding assay. Their interaction with the cytosolic domain of GHR was equivalent to their respective untagged counterparts. The biological activity of the construct encoding SOCS6 was not tested because of lack of a suitable assay. Cells transfected with eight of these tagged constructs expressed the fluorescent proteins in both the nucleus and cytosol; the tagged SOCS2 was localized mostly in the latter compartment.

The role of growth hormone in fetal development

Studies across several species, particularly the mouse, show that growth hormone (GH, somatotrophin) is an important determinant of litter size, and to a lesser extent, of birth length. GH acts at all stages of development, from ovulation through preimplantation development to the late fetus, with actions on both embryo/fetus and mother contributing to successful fetal development. The fact that these are not more obvious in vivo is likely a result of redundancy of cytokine hormone action, particularly in relation to prolactin, which shares common actions and receptor locations with GH.

Mechanism of ruminant placental lactogen action: molecular and in vivo studies

Ruminant placental lactogens (PLs) are structurally related to prolactins (PRLs) and growth hormones (GHs) and are secreted by placentae. Ruminant PLs are unusual in their capacity to bind and activate PRL and GH receptors (Rs) from other species. The present minireview summarizes several works showing that unlike in heterologous species (rat, rabbit, human), in homologous (ruminant) species, PLs act by activating PRLRs or by heterodimerizing GHRs and PRLRs, and suggests that this may be the main mechanism of PL action in vivo. Mutations impairing the ability of ovine (o)PL or bovine (b)PL to form complexes with PRLRs (but not with GHRs) do not cause loss of biological activity, because the transient existence of the homodimeric complex is still sufficient to initiate the signal transduction; however, mutants do lose their ability to activate homologous PRLRs. To explain this difference, we proposed a novel term-minimal time of homodimer persistence-which assumes that to initiate the signal transduction, a "minimal time" of homodimer existence is required for transphosphorylation of associated JAK2s. In interactions between ruminant PLs and homologous PRLRs, this minimal time is met through the interaction with homologous PRLRs, which has a shorter half-life than with heterologous PRLRs. Thus oPL or bPL are active in cells possessing both homologous and heterologous PRLRs. Mutations of PLs decrease the affinity, shortening the "time of homodimer persistence." In heterologous interactions, the minimal time is still sufficient to initiate the biological activity, whereas in homologous interactions, which in any case are weaker, further destabilization of the complex shortens its persistence below the minimal time, causing loss of biological activity.

Large-scale preparation of recombinant ovine prolactin and determination of its in vitro and in vivo activity

Recombinant bovine Ala-prolactin (PRL) (GenBank Accession No. V00112) in prokaryotic expression plasmid pMON3401 was mutated using a mutagenesis kit, to prepare plasmid encoding ovine PRL (oPRL) (GenBank Accession No. M27057) Escherichia coli cells transformed with this latter plasmid overexpressed large amounts of oPRL upon induction with nalidixic acid. The expressed protein, found in inclusion bodies, was refolded and purified to homogeneity on a Q-Sepharose column, yielding an electrophoretically pure fraction composed of over 98% monomeric protein of the expected molecular mass of approximately 23 kDa. The biological activity of the recombinant oPRL after proper renaturation was evidenced in vitro by its ability to stimulate proliferation of rat lymphoma Nb(2) cells possessing PRL receptors, to stimulate luciferase activity in HEK 293 cells transiently transfected with oPRL receptors, and to induce progesterone secretion in primary cultures of luteal cells obtained from midpregnant ewes. In contrast to ovine growth hormone or ovine placental lactogen, recombinant oPRL had no galactopoietic effect in lactating ewes.

Active immunization of ewes against ovine placental lactogen increases birth weight of lambs and milk production with no adverse effect on conception rate

In two experiments, 16 Booroola-Assaf and 35 Assaf ewe-lambs were actively immunized at 5 months of age against recombinant ovine placental lactogen (oPL). At 9 months of age, the ewe-lambs were mated for the first time and then introduced into a frequent mating-system. Anti-oPL antibody titers, reproductive performance, maternal serum levels of oPL during pregnancy, lamb birth weight and milk production of the ewes were followed in the immunized ewes and in their non-immunized control counterparts. All the immunized ewes developed anti-oPL antibodies, which interfered with oPL bioactivity in an in vitro cell proliferation assay. Conception rates did not differ (P>0.05) between immunized and non-immunized ewes. Abundant antibody-bound non-active oPL detected in sera of immunized ewes by western blotting indicated enhanced oPL production by the placenta following immunization. An increase (P<0.02) in serum oPL bioactivity, but not immunoreactivity, was observed in the immunized ewes in late gestation relative to control ewes. The average litter size was 1.83 and 1.32 lambs born per ewe lambing in the first and second experiments, respectively. Average birth weights of lambs born to the immunized ewes were higher (P<0.01) than for lambs born to control ewes by 10, 17 and 39% for those born as singles, twins and triplets, respectively. Immunized ewes produced 19 and 33% more milk (P<0.02) than the control ewes in the first 3.5 months of the first and second lactations, respectively. These findings do not suggest a role for oPL in maternal recognition of pregnancy, but they strongly suggest important roles for oPL in fetal growth and mammogenesis. Immunization of ewes against oPL may thus represent a novel practical technique for enhancing birth weights of lambs born to prolific sheep, as well as milk production by both dairy and mutton ewes.

Recombinant prolactin receptor extracellular domain of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): subcloning, preparation, and characterization

The cDNA of the extracellular domain of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) prolactin receptor (trPRLR-ECD) was cloned in the prokaryotic expression vector pMON to enable its expression in Escherichia coli after induction with nalidixic acid. The bacterially expressed trPRLR-ECD protein, contained within the refractile body pellet, was solubilized in 4.5 M urea, refolded, and purified on a Q-Sepharose column, pH 8, by stepwise elution with NaCl. The bioactive monomeric 26-kDa fraction was eluted in 0.2 M NaCl, yielding 20 mg/2.5 L of induced culture. The purified protein was over 98% homogeneous, as shown by SDS-PAGE in the presence or absence of reducing agent and by chromatography on a Superdex column. Binding experiments using [125I]ovine placental lactogen (oPL) as a ligand revealed that human growth hormone (hGH), oPL, and ovine prolactin (oPRL) were the most effective competitors, with respective IC50 values of 1.32, 2.27, and 2.70 nM. Chicken (ch) PRL did not compete at all, and homologous trPRL was much less effective, with a corresponding IC50 value of 1826 nM. Gel-filtration was used to determine the stoichiometry of trPRLR-ECD's interaction with oPL, hGH, and oPRL. Only oPL yielded a 2:1 complex, whereas hGH and oPRL formed only 1:1 complexes, with excess trPRLR-ECD being seen at the initial 2:1 trPRLR-ECD:hGH or trPRLR-ECD:oPRL ratios. No studies were performed with chPRL because of its inability to compete with [125I]oPL or with trPRL because of its low affinity toward trPRLR-ECD. The present results agree with previous findings indicating, as in mammals, that homologous PRL interacts transiently with its receptor and suggest that transient homologous PRL-induced homodimerization of the receptor is sufficient to initiate a biological signal, despite the fact that, in classical binding experiments, only low specific binding can be detected.

Recombinant extracellular domain of rabbit growth hormone receptor and biological activity of somatogenic hormones

The cDNA of the extracellular domain of rabbit growth hormone receptor (rbGHR-ECD) was cloned in the prokaryotic expression vector pMON, to enable its expression in Escherichia coli after induction with nalidixic acid. The bacterially expressed rbPRLR-ECD protein, contained within the refractile-body pellet, was solubilized in 4.5 M urea, refolded, and purified on a Q-Sepharose column, pH 8, by stepwise elution with NaCl. The bioactive monomeric 28-kDa fraction was eluted in 0.15 M NaCl, yielding 50 mg/2.5 l of induced culture. The purified protein was over 98% homogeneous, as shown by SDS-PAGE in the presence or absence of reducing agent, and by chromatography on a Superdex column. Gel filtration was used to determine the stoichiometry of rbGHR-ECD's interaction with human (h), ovine (o), chicken (ch) and common carp (cc) GHs and with bovine (b) and caprine (c) placental lactogens (PLs). The formation of 2:1 complexes was indicated in all cases. Binding experiments using radiolabelled oGH as a ligand revealed it to be the most effective competitor, followed by bPL, cPL, hGH chGH and ccGH, with respective IC50 values of 0.27, 0.94, 1.55, 2.13, 41.9 and 51.2 nM. Rabbit GHR-ECD inhibited the bPL-inducible proliferation of FDC-P1 cells stably transfected with rbGHR and Nb2 cells possessing rat PRLR. The biological activity of oGH, hGH, cPL, bPL, chGH and ccGH was tested in the FDC-P1 cells stably transfected with rbGHR and yielded the respective EC50 values (in nM) of 0.024, 0.023, 0.021, 0.24, 4.71 and 0.49. These results indicate remarkable discrepancies between the binding capacities and biological activities: the possible reasons for these findings are discussed.

Functional heterodimerization of prolactin and growth hormone receptors by ovine placental lactogen

Although homo- or heterodimerization are common mechanisms for activation of cytokine receptors, cross-talk between two distinct receptors in this superfamily has been never shown. Here we show a physiologically relevant example indicating that such an interaction does occurs, thus raising the hypothesis that heterodimerization between distinct cytokine receptors may be a novel mechanism contributing to the diversity of cytokine signaling. These findings were documented using both surface plasmon resonance and gel filtration experiments and show that ovine placental lactogen (PL) heterodimerizes the extracellular domains (ECDs) of ruminant growth hormone receptor (GHR) and prolactin receptor (PRLR). We also show that PL or PL analogues that exhibit little or no activity in cells transfected with PRLRs and no activity in cells transfected with ovine GHRs exhibit largely enhanced activity in cells cotransfected with both PRLRs and GHRs. Furthermore, chimeric receptors consisting of cytosolic and transmembrane part of ovine GHR or ovine PRLR and ECDs of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (GM-CSFR) alpha or beta were constructed. Upon transfection into Chinese hamster ovary cells along with reporter luciferase gene and stimulation by GM-CSF, a significant increase in luciferase activity occurred when GM-CSFR-alpha-PRLR and GM-CSFR-beta-GHR or GM-CSFR-alpha-GHR and GM-CSRR-beta-PRLR were cotransfected. In conclusion, we show that ovine PL is capable of functional heterodimerization of GHR and PRLR and that when their cytosolic parts, coupled to the ECD of GM-CSF receptors, are heterodimerized by GM-CSF, they are capable of transducing biological signal.