Endocrine Abstracts

While prolactin (PRL) is known as the pituitary hormone of lactation, accumulating evidence shows that PRL acts on many tissues and in many pathophysiological conditions. The major isoform, 23 kDa PRL, acts via a membrane receptor, the prolactin receptor (PRL-R), a member of the hematopoietic cytokine superfamily, and for which the mechanism of activation has been elucidated. The aim of this symposium is to present and discuss data supporting actions of PRL in hyperprolactinem...

The effects of conditional mouse growth hormone receptor gene disruption or ‘knock-out’ on metabolic parameters and longevity will be presented. Tissues investigated include muscle, adipose, heart, and liver. Also, data on adult onset growth hormone gene disruption will be presented....

The pituitary has been classically considered the ‘Master Gland’, owing to its ability to regulate the function of the other endocrine glands of the body. However, the hypophysis also served over the years as a master, guiding example to enlighten multiple fields of experimental biology and medicine, from classic physiology to modern cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Somatostatin and its receptors (sst1-5) comprise a classic regulatory system, initial...