Premium
Detection and regulation of leptin receptor mRNA in ovine mammary epithelial cells during pregnancy and lactation
Author(s) -
Laud Karine,
Gourdou Isabelle,
Bélair Lucette,
Keisler Duane H.,
Djiane Jean
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(99)01616-6
Subject(s) - leptin , mammary gland , medicine , endocrinology , leptin receptor , receptor , lactation , biology , in situ hybridization , adipocyte , messenger rna , pregnancy , adipose tissue , gene , biochemistry , genetics , cancer , breast cancer , obesity
Adipocyte‐epithelial cell interactions and their secretions are critical determinants of mammary gland development. In this present study, we examined the possible involvement of leptin and its receptors in the process of mammogenesis/lactogenesis. We demonstrated by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction analysis that long and short forms of leptin receptors were expressed in the ovine mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation. Furthermore, quantitative determinations, via ribonuclease protection assays, provided evidence that the level of leptin receptor expression was greatest during mid‐pregnancy when active growth of the mammary gland is initiated. Location of the leptin receptors, as determined by in situ hybridization analysis, revealed that leptin receptor transcripts were expressed specifically in mammary epithelial cells. These data provide evidence that leptin, with its receptors, could be an important mediator in regulating mammary gland growth and development.