Use of recombinant DNA procedures to study mechanisms controlling synthesis of hypophyseal hormones

Recombinant DNA technology has provided a useful new tool for analysis of the molecular mechanisms regulating pituitary hormone biosynthesis. Application of recombinant DNA technique to the study of prolactin production has provided new insights into the structure and regulation of the prolactin gene. In the course of these studies a recombinant DNA plasmid containing a DNA copy of prolactin mRNA was constructed and analyzed. This prolactin cDNA clone has provided a homogeneous hybridization probe for subsequent studies of the prolactin gene. Studies utilizing this probe have provided evidence that the dopaminergic and estrogenic regulation of prolactin mRNA levels involves changes in the transcription of the prolactin gene. Recombinant DNA techniques have also been utilized to isolate a clone containing the chromosomal prolactin gene. Future studies of the regulation of prolactin gene expression will undoubtedly rely on recombinant DNA techniques.