Abstract
Summary
Prolactin receptors were maintained in organ cultures of rabbit mammary gland and this maintenance was related to an active synthesis since the addition of cyclo-heximide lead to a rapid decline in receptor levels. Inclusion of prolactin (5 μg/ml) in the culture medium resulted in an occupation of binding sites, followed by a reduction in the total receptor levels measured following dissociation of the bound prolactin from its receptor in crude membrane preparations. This apparent down-regulation of prolactin receptors may result from an endocytosis or compartmentalization of the hormone-receptor complex and may be involved in the mechanism of action of prolactin.
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