Recent Advances in Prolactin Research (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology Book 846)

__Recent Advances in Prolactin Research__ summarizes the current knowledge of prolactin (PRL), PRL receptor, PRL-dependent signaling pathways, the role of PRL in oncogenesis and PRL crosstalk with other oncogenic factors. The chapters are written by experts in these fields and focus on identifying and reviewing timely experimental findings that provide new insights into the expanding role of PRL in the pathophysiology associated with a variety of human conditions. Prolactin is a peptide hormone that is best known for its role in lactation. Prolactin also has an influence on hematopoiesis and angiogenesis, and is involved in the regulation of blood clotting through several pathways. Although PRL was discovered more than 80 years ago, the understanding of PRL signaling and its relationship to various pathologies is still very incomplete. PRL is not only a pituitary hormone with an important role in reproduction, but PRL also acts as a cytokine, modulating a wide variety of physiological processes. For example, data gathered during the last decade have demonstrated that locally produced PRL acts as the autocrine/paracrine factor and plays a contributory role during breast oncogenesis. In fact, the scientific and clinical communities have suggested that the manipulation of the PRL axis may lead to the successful treatment of breast cancer. However, recent work has demonstrated that the role of the PRL axis is much more complex than first envisaged. Front Matter....Pages i-viii Prolactin (PRL) in Adipose Tissue: Regulation and Functions....Pages 1-35 Signaling Pathways Regulating Pituitary Lactotrope Homeostasis and Tumorigenesis....Pages 37-59 The Many Faces of Prolactin in Breast Cancer....Pages 61-81 Regulation of Blood Vessels by Prolactin and Vasoinhibins....Pages 83-95 Tyrosyl Phosphorylated Serine-Threonine Kinase PAK1 is a Novel Regulator of Prolactin-Dependent Breast Cancer Cell Motility and Invasion....Pages 97-137 Plasticity of the Prolactin (PRL) Axis: Mechanisms Underlying Regulation of Output in Female Mice....Pages 139-162 Role of Src Family Kinases in Prolactin Signaling....Pages 163-188 Prolactin-Induced Protein in Breast Cancer....Pages 189-200 Modeling Prolactin Actions in Breast Cancer In Vivo: Insights from the NRL-PRL Mouse....Pages 201-220 Prolactin-Induced Prostate Tumorigenesis....Pages 221-242 Prolactin in Inflammatory Response....Pages 243-264 A Positive Feedback Loop Between Prolactin and Stat5 Promotes Angiogenesis....Pages 265-280 Erratum....Pages E1-E2 Back Matter....Pages 281-281