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Page: Structure
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Prolactin is a single chain polypeptide of 199 amino acids with a molecular weight of about 24,000 daltons. Its structure is similar to that of growth hormone and placental lactogen. The molecule is folded due to the activity of three disulfide bonds. Significant heterogeneity of the molecule has been described, thus bioassays and immunoassays can give different results due to differing glycosylation, phosphorylation, sulfation, as well as degradation. The non-glycosylated form of prolactin is the dominant form of prolactin that is secreted by the pituitary gland.
Little prolactin is apparently the result of removal of some amino acids, while big prolactin can be the product of interaction of several prolactin molecules.
Pit-1 is a transcription factor that binds to the prolactin gene at several sites to allow for the production of prolactin in the pituitary gland. A key regulator of prolactin production are estrogens that enhances growth of prolactin producing cells and stimulates prolactin production directly as well as suppressing dopamine.
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