The sea bream liver contains receptors for growth hormone and prolactin

Different tissues of the black sea bream Mylio macrocephalus including the liver, gills, intestine, muscle, gonad, swim bladder, spleen, heart and kidney were examined for the presence of prolactin and growth hormone receptors. Membranes were prepared from the tissues and 125I-labeled ovine prolactin and bovine growth hormone were used as ligands. It was found that the liver contained the highest level of specific 125I-labeled ovine prolactin and bovine growth hormone binding, suggesting the existence of hepatic prolactin and growth hormone receptors. The protein nature of the hepatic growth hormone receptor was revealed by the reduction of specific 125I-labeled growth hormone binding after treatment of hepatic membranes with trypsin and chymotrypsin.