Prolactin-stimulated ornithine decarboxylase induction in rat hepatocytes: coupling to diacylglycerol generation and protein kinase C.

The trophic effects of prolactin (PRL) in rat liver have been linked to activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Since alterations in PKC activity imply its activation by 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG), we tested whether PRL treatment stimulated DAG generation coupled to induction of a growth response in primary hepatocytes. Addition of PRL to hepatocyte cultures significantly increased [3H]-glycerol incorporation into DAG within 5 minutes which was followed by a loss of cytosolic PKC activity by 10 minutes. Prolactin also significantly enhanced radiolabel incorporation into triacylglycerol and phospholipids within 10 minutes and induced ODC activity at 6 hours. Therefore, prolactin-stimulated alterations in PKC activity are preceded by enhanced DAG generation. Moreover, these events appear to be coupled to PRL-stimulated entry of hepatocytes into cell cycle.