GH kinase activity in bovine anterior pituitary subcellular fractions

Growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) share significant structural homology. We have previously characterized the phosphorylation of bovine PRL and wish to determine whether a similar kinase activity phosphorylates bovine GH. Phosphorylation of bovine GH was performed using [alpha-32P]ATP labeling of subcellular fractions. Bovine GH phosphorylation was dependent on Zn2+ or Cu2+ with apparent Km's of 0.9 and 1.0 mM, respectively, and a pH maxima of 7.0. The apparent Km's of bovine GH kinase activity for exogenous bovine GH and ATP were 30 microM and 376 microM, respectively. Exogenous bovine PRL served as a competitive substrate, increasing the apparent Km for bovine GH by threefold compared to the Km determined without exogenous bovine PRL. We conclude: 1) in vitro phosphorylation of bovine GH occurs under conditions that are consistent with those found in anterior pituitary cells, and 2) a similar kinase activity phosphorylates both bovine PRL and GH.