EliKine™ Human Prolactin ELISA Kit

Prolactin (gene name PRL) is a secreted neuroendocrine pituitary hormone that acts primarily on the mammary gland to promote lactation, but has pleiotropic effects in both males and females. Prolactin is predominantly found as 199 amino acid, 25 kDa glycosylated and 23 kDa non-glycosylated monomers. Human prolactin shares only 60% and 63% amino acid sequence identity with mouse and rat prolactin, respectively, although rat prolactin can activate the human prolactin recepto. Although better characterized in rodents than humans, post-translational modifcations such as polymerization, glycosylation, and proteolytic cleavage can alter the activities of prolactin. Non-glycosylated prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland and packaged in storage granules before secretion. Glycosylated prolactin is reported to be constitutively secreted, have lower biological potency, and be removed from the circulation more quickly.