Description of Research

The prostate gland is a specialized reproductive male organ whose main function is to produce, accumulate, and secrete large amounts of citrate; a metabolic function that distinguishes this organ from others. These physiological functions of the prostate are hormonally regulated by androgen and prolactin (PRL). Three key enzymes and two key transporters(metabolic genes) play vital roles in the citrate metabolism of the  prostate. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that PRL regulates the expression of these citrate metabolic genes in prostate. PRL is a pleiotropic hormone with many biological actions depending on cell type. The mechanism of action for all PRL effects is not completely understood; however, it is generally accepted that the PRL receptor (PRLR) signals through the JAK2/STAT and Src family kinase pathways. We have reported that PRL regulates the metabolic genes in prostate through a PKC mediated pathway that does not involve JAK/STAT activation. In recent studies, we are investigated PRLR signaling involving a PKC-MAPK pathway with activation of AP1.