Prolactin's effects on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and on LPL mRNA levels in cultured mouse mammary gland explants.

The in vitro effects of prolactin (PRL) on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and on LPL mRNA levels were studied in cultured mammary tissues derived from mid-pregnant mice. Mouse mammary gland tissues were initially incubated for 24 hr in M199 media containing 1 microg/ml insulin and 10(-7) M cortisol. A subsequent treatment of the tissues with 1 microg/ml PRL caused a 76% increase in heparin-releasable LPL (hrLPL) activity after 24 hr. A significant increase in LPL activity was detected 16 hr after PRL addition, but not at earlier times. PRL at 100 ng/ml elicited a maximum stimulation of LPL activity. When Northern hybridization techniques were employed, PRL was also found to increase the tissue content of LPL mRNA; this effect was initially detected after a 6-hr PRL treatment employing PRL concentrations of 50 ng/ml and above. Specificity studies revealed that only lactogenic hormones stimulated LPL activity and LPL mRNA accumulation in cultured mammary tissues. PRL also expressed a small (25% increase), but significant, effect on ATP citrate-lyase activity in mammary tissues cultured for more than 6 hr with the hormone.