Expression of prolactin (PRL) receptor gene and PRL-binding sites in rabbit intestinal epithelial cells

Specific binding sites for PRL were identified on isolated intestinal epithelial cells from both male and female rabbits. These receptors exhibited a very high affinity for PRL (Kd = 5 x 10(-11) M) and were immunologically very similar to the well characterized mammary PRL receptor. About 3500 PRL receptors/cell were expressed on isolated epithelial cells from rabbit jejunum. These receptors were distributed in precise portions of the gut, being highly expressed in the proximal small intestine (duodenum and jejunum), moderately expressed in the ileum, and barely detectable in the colon. The levels of intestinal epithelial PRL receptors were low in 15-day-old rabbits, moderate at 1 month, and reached adult levels at 2 months, indicating enhanced PRL receptor expression in the intestine as development proceeded. The PRL receptor gene was specifically and highly expressed in the rabbit intestine, and four PRL receptor transcripts were detected that were identical to the transcripts characterized in the mammary gland. In individual intestinal segments, the expression of PRL-binding sites was always highly correlated with the level of PRL receptor mRNA. These results show that isolated intestinal epithelial cells express the PRL receptor gene as well as specific binding sites with a high affinity for PRL. They suggest that PRL regulates intestinal functions by exerting direct actions on the intestinal epithelial cells.